A Selden man pleaded guilty to his role in a deadly drunk driving crash which killed one of his passengers and seriously injured another.
On August 15, 2022, at approximately 2:14 a.m., Anthony Milano, 31, was driving at a high rate of speed on Clearview Avenue in Selden when he lost control of his vehicle, causing him to crash into a parked car, and then a tree. Milano’s rear passenger, Paige Swiecicki, 30, of Selden, was killed due to injuries sustained from the crash. Milano’s front passenger, Scott Johnson, 30, of Selden, sustained serious physical injuries and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
During the initial investigation, Milano admitted to drinking alcohol prior to driving, and consented to a blood test which revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .09%. Prosecutors later obtained a warrant for Milano’s blood that was taken upon his admission to Stony Brook University Hospital, which revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .11%. Additionally, an analysis of Milano’s vehicle’s black box revealed he was driving 78 miles per hour seconds before the crash.
On September 8, 2023, Milano pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Stephen L. Braslow to aggravated vehicular homicide, a Class B felony; second-degree manslaughter, a Class C felony; and driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor.
“This defendant’s decision to drink and then drive killed one person and seriously injured another,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “I urge everyone to drive safely and call a cab or schedule a car service if you have consumed any alcohol.”
He is due back in court for sentencing on December 7, 2023.