Long Island Man Faces Manslaughter, Other Charges In Deadly Crash
FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man is facing second-degree manslaughter and other charges in connection with a crash that left a 33-year-old mother of two dead.
The crash occurred at Seaman Avenue and Rutland Road in Freeport just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The victim was in a 2001 Buick LeSabre driven by a career criminal, identified as 45-year-old William Billups, of Hempstead, police said.
Five minutes before the crash, police said they tried to pull over the vehicle for speeding in Roosevelt. The car paused for a moment and sped away when an officer got out of the police vehicle, Nassau County Police Detective Captain John Azzatta said.
"They attempted to follow the vehicle, but they had already lost sight of it," Azzatta said.
It appears the Buick blew a stop sign and crashed into a Mercedes-Benz about 10 blocks away, police said. The impact sent both vehicles onto the front lawn of a house at that intersection, knocking down a fence and tree, Azzatta said.
Billups' passenger died at Nassau University Medical Center.
A friend of the victim described her as a loving and caring person.
"This wasn't supposed to be," the friend said.
The victim has not been identified.
Billups was on parole and had been arrested 22 times on charges including felony robbery, police said. He is hospitalized with a leg injury.
The 24-year-old driver of the other car was hospitalized with a broken jaw.
Both vehicles have been impounded for brake and safety inspections.
An investigation is ongoing.
