An East Rockaway man was arraigned on manslaughter and other charges for a high-speed crash in March that killed a father who was driving his 10-year-old son to school in Woodmere.
On March 19 at approximately 7:53 a.m., 39-year-old Michael Kreindler was driving his 10-year-old son to school westbound on University Place towards the intersection of Branch Boulevard in his 2023 Tesla Model 3.
At approximately the same time, Brayan Romero Flores was allegedly driving his 2019 Honda Accord northbound on Branch Boulevard at a high rate of speed and struck the victim’s vehicle as it attempted to make a left turn onto Branch Boulevard.
Both vehicles sustained severe damage.
Kreindler was transported by Hatzolah Ambulance to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside with serious injuries. His son and Romero Flores were also transported to the hospital and released with minor injuries.
Kreindler remained hospitalized and on life support until April 7, when he was pronounced dead.
A search warrant executed for the event data recorder from the defendant’s vehicle revealed that one second prior to the crash, Romero Flores was allegedly driving 81 miles per hour, more than double the speed limit. He allegedly applied the brakes only one second before impact and was driving at 99% acceleration five seconds prior to the crash.
Dash camera footage recovered from the defendant’s vehicle during the search warrant execution contained footage of Flores allegedly running a red light five minutes before the crash and driving approximately 77 miles per hour per the speed indicator located on his dashboard.
On May 28, Romero Flores, 24, was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department. He was arraigned later that day before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); Criminally Negligent Homicide (a Class E felony); and Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded.
“This defendant’s alleged actions shattered a family during a morning routine that many of us can relate to. A father was driving his 10-year-old son to school when he was blindsided by the defendant, who allegedly barreled into the victim’s car at more than double the speed limit after previously running a red light,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “After weeks in the hospital fighting for his life, Michael tragically died from his injuries. We will seek justice for his family as we prosecute the defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
Romero Flores is due back in court on June 4. If convicted, the defendant faces up to seven to 15 years in prison.