A Freeport man was sentenced today to six to 12 years in prison for an August 2023 crash in West Hempstead that killed a six-year-old girl.
On August 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez was intoxicated, speeding, and drove through a red light when he crashed into the rear of the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s car, a Toyota Corolla, was stopped in the right lane of Hempstead Turnpike, near Westminster Road, with the hazard lights on. The force of the impact sent the Corolla off the roadway and into a tree, while Bonilla Gutierrez’ vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder, flipped multiple times.
Bonilla Gutierrez slammed into the rear driver’s side of the stationary vehicle, causing significant internal injuries to its passenger, six-year-old Katerine Vanegas Hernandez. The child was taken to NYU Langone Long Island Hospital and died shortly afterwards.
Vanegas Hernandez was killed two days before her seventh birthday. The victim’s five-year-old brother suffered a fractured spine, while the driver of the Corolla suffered multiple broken ribs.
Bonilla Gutierrez was apprehended by a member of the Nassau County Police Department near the crash scene. Empty beer cans were observed inside the defendant’s vehicle and next to the vehicle at the crash scene. He was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for broken ribs and a broken nose.
A search warrant for the defendant’s blood taken at the hospital revealed that his blood alcohol content was 0.17% one hour after the crash.
Bonilla Gutierrez, 19, pleaded guilty on June 5, 2024, before Judge Terence Murphy to second-degree manslaughter (a Class C felony); second-degree assault (a Class D violent felony); two counts of third-degree assault (a Class A misdemeanor); and driving while intoxicated per se (an unclassified misdemeanor). He was sentenced on August 5, 2024 to six to 12 years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of six to 15 years in prison.
“Katerine Vanegas Hernandez was a bright light in her family, a best friend to her little brother, and a happy child excited to celebrate her seventh birthday in just two short days. This defendant, driving drunk and recklessly on Hempstead Turnpike, stole young Katerine’s life when he struck her mother’s car and tore apart this close and loving family,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Katerine’s loss – so senselessly and tragically at the hands of a drunk driver – is unfathomable. Our thoughts remain with her mother and brother as they continue to mourn. Halfway through the summer season it bears repeating: do not drink and get behind the wheel. Do not destroy another family.”
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