Amandeep Singh, the driver accused of killing two Roslyn Middle School teens in a wrong-way drunk driving incident in May, was offered a plea from prosecutors.
In court Thursday morning, he refused to accept the offer.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office said they offered Singh a plea to the top count of aggravated vehicular homicide within his 15-count indictment, which carries a sentence of 8-1/3 years to 25 years in prison.
Singh, represented by attorney James Kousouros, added two additional attorneys to his defense team: Ed Sapone and Nicholas Ramcharitar.
Roslyn resident Singh, 34, was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road at 95 mph with a blood alcohol count of 0.15 four hours after his arrest and cocaine in his system, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a press conference following his arraignment June 26. The speed limit posted in the area of the collision is 40 mph.
He faces a series of charges in the vehicular crash that ensued and killed young tennis star Drew Hassenbein, 14, and Ethan Falkowitz, 14, on May 3. Two other teenagers on the Roslyn Boys Varsity Tennis team were in the car and injured.
Singh was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated vehicular homicide, assault, driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and a drug, reckless driving and a felony count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, authorities said.
Singh pleaded not guilty to the 15-count indictment at his arraignment June 26.
He faces a maximum of 32 years in prison if found guilty.
Donnelly previously said that based on their investigation, Singh allegedly attended a party the afternoon of the day of the collision where he was drinking. After that, he allegedly went to other establishments where he continued to drink. she said.
At 10:19 p.m. on May 3, Singh, suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, was speeding south in the northbound lane of North Broadway in Jericho when his truck struck the Alpha Romeo occupied by the four teenagers.
As a result of the collision, the Alpha Romeo then hit a 2023 Volvo occupied by a driver, 49, and a passenger, 16. Both were treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to police.
Donnelly said Singh fled the scene afterward and was found by law enforcement hiding near a dumpster in a nearby shopping center parking lot.
When approached by Nassau County Police, Singh asked them why they were there as he believed he was in New Jersey, Donnelly said.
Singh was previously charged with driving while intoxicated as a youthful offender, meaning he was under the age of 19.
Defense motions of the case are due on Nov. 22, which is the deadline for if Singh chooses to enter a guilty plea. The District Attorney’s Office’s opposition is due by Dec. 11 and the reply/submit date is Dec. 18.
Singh is due to return to court on Jan. 7.
