A Lindenhurst man was indicted on charges of manslaughter for a crash in which he was speeding and driving drunk before crashing and killing his passenger.
Aaron Cooper, a former NYPD officer and Marine reservist, was arraigned on multiple charges, including manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter, following a deadly high-speed crash. The incident, which occurred in February, resulted in the death of 22-year-old Pablo Rivera.
Cooper, 26, faced arraignment before Judge Christopher Quinn, pleading not guilty to charges including second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and second-degree criminal impersonation. Bail was set at $200,000 cash, $400,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond, with a potential maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
The accident unfolded on Rosedale Road in Valley Stream, where Cooper allegedly drove his turbocharged 2023 Toyota Supra up and down the road at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, with Rivera as his passenger. He lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole and a tree before coming to rest on the hood of another car. Rivera died at the scene. Data from the crash recorder indicated that Cooper was driving at approximately 109 miles per hour just seconds before the crash.
Following the crash, Cooper was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital for treatment of multiple injuries, including broken ribs. While at the hospital, he allegedly misrepresented himself as a police officer with the 17th Precinct in New York City, despite having been terminated in January 2023. His blood alcohol content was recorded at .16%, twice the legal limit, approximately one hour after the crash.
“The defendant – a former NYPD officer – was allegedly drunk and showing off his turbocharged sports car, recklessly racing up and down Rosedale Road at speeds toping 100 miles per hour,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelley. “The joyride turned deadly when the driver lost control of the vehicle and barreled through a utility pole and tree, killing his young passenger Pablo Rivera. “After suffering injuries in the crash, the defendant was taken to the hospital where witnesses say he allegedly identified himself to police as an NYPD officer, despite his termination in 2023. This horrific crash and senseless death were completely preventable. It is disheartening that after all these years of education about drunk and drugged driving this type of crash is still an all too regular occurrence.”
Cooper is scheduled to return to court on May 30, 2024.