A Riverhead man was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, and other related charges, following a multi-vehicle crash on County Road 105 in Riverhead, which killed his passenger and injured several others.
On August 7, 2024, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Cristian Mendoza-Baquiax was operating a white 2010 Acura MDX northbound on County Road 105 in Riverhead when he drove around a northbound car at a high rate of speed into the opposite lane of travel, striking several vehicles. In total, seven cars were involved in the crash. A passenger in the defendant’s vehicle, Nelson Reyes-Muxin, 33, died as a result of his injuries.
Another passenger also in Mendoza-Baquiax’s vehicle sustained multiple fractures to his arm and a dislocated shoulder, for which he received treatment at Peconic Bay Medical Center.
The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash sustained two fractured legs, a dislocated ankle, and had to be airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for medical treatment. In addition, two other individuals had to be transported to local hospitals for injuries that they sustained as a result of the crash.
Mendoza-Baquiax exhibited signs of intoxication and told responding officers that he had consumed six beers. He was subsequently placed under arrest and consented to a blood draw upon request by police. Toxicology results revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .21%. Mendoza Baquiax was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained from the crash. A sample of Mendoza-Baquiax ‘s blood taken by hospital staff upon his admission was also seized pursuant to a search warrant. Subsequent toxicology results of that sample, taken at an earlier time than the sample taken by police, revealed that he had a .25% blood alcohol content.
On March 11, 2025, Mendoza-Baquiax pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski to the following charges:
- three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, all Class B felonies
- one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony
- two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, both Class D felonies
- one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony
- two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, both Class A misdemeanors
On April 15, 2025, Mendoza-Baquiax was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison.
“When someone chooses to drive with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, they are not just breaking the law – they are treating every other person on the road as expendable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “This sentencing sends out the message that, here in Suffolk County, we will not tolerate decisions that turn vehicles into deadly weapons.”