A Queens man was charged for his alleged role in a December 2025 crash on the Southern State Parkway that killed a 58-year-old man and seriously injured two others.
On December 14, 2025 at approximately 4:00 a.m., Deodat Ramotar was allegedly driving a 2012 black Hyundai Sonata westbound along the Southern State Parkway in Elmont during a snowstorm, carrying 58-year-old Ramash Boodnie and three other passengers. According to the investigation, as Ramotar was approaching an exit for the Belt Parkway, he allegedly began swerving on the road at a high rate of speed, spun out in the snow, and struck a tree on the north shoulder of the parkway. All three backseat passengers were ejected from the car. Boodnie was killed instantly.
The other backseat passengers suffered severe injuries, including a Traumatic Brain Injury, a fractured skull, a shattered hip and pelvis, as well as multiple internal wounds. The defendant and front-seat passenger were unharmed.
Blood drawn from the defendant approximately two hours after the crash revealedhis blood alcohol concentration was allegedly .09%.
Ramotar, 35, was arrested by New York State Police on December 14, 2025.
He was arraigned on July 20 before Judge Joseph Girardi on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a Class B felony); Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class D felony); Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a Class C felony); Vehicular Assault in the First Degree (a Class D felony); two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree (a Class E Felony); three counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D felony); Driving While Intoxicated Per Se (an unclassified misdemeanor); Driving While Intoxicated Common Law (an unclassified misdemeanor); and Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor).
The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded. His next court date is scheduled for September 2, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison.
“What started as a fun gathering with loved ones ended in tragedy because of this defendant’s alleged actions.” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Deodat Ramotar allegedly spent the night drinking at a family party, got behind the wheel during a snowstorm with a car full of passengers, and crashed into a tree, killing 58-year-old Ramash Boodnie. This crash was entirely preventable and my office intends to hold the defendant fully accountable for the devastation he caused.”