By CaraLynn Caulfield
A Yaphank man has been indicted for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and crashing into a tree, leaving his passenger seriously injured, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.
On April 27 at approximately 3:25 a.m., Andy Bonilla Chicas, 21, was allegedly speeding while under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he lost control of his BMW and crashed into a tree on the Sunrise Highway Service Road. The force of the crash propelled his front-seat passenger into the back of the vehicle. She was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Bonilla Chicas sustained minor injuries and was arrested after police determined he was intoxicated at the scene.
Bonilla Chicas was arraigned on July 22 before Acting County Court Judge James McDonaugh on the following charges:
- Second-degree assault (a Class D violent felony)
- Vehicular assault in the second degree (a Class E felony)
- Two counts of DWI
- Driving while ability impaired by combined influence of alcohol and drugs
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
McDonaugh ordered Bonilla Chicas to be placed on supervised release with GPS monitoring and substance restrictions. His license was suspended, and he was required to surrender his passport. He is due back in court on August 21.
He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on the top count.
“Drivers who are caught operating on our roads under the influence of alcohol and drugs will be held accountable for their reckless actions,” Tierney said. “Suffolk’s streets must be kept safe.”