Queens man indicted for Southern State Parkway crash that left 3 dead

MINEOLA, NY – A Queens man has been indicted in connection with a crash that killed three people on Long Island last year, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.

28-year-old Matthew Whyte of Laurelton was arraigned last week on multiple charges for the accident that occurred Nov. 5, 2022 on the Southern State Parkway in Oyster Bay.

Prosecutors said Whyte was driving his 2018 Subaru WRX at a high rate of speed shortly before 9 p.m. while impaired by marijuana, and was weaving in and out of traffic as another speeding driver appeared to be racing him.

Whyte’s car crashed into an eastbound 2004 Honda Civic near Exit 32 at Route 110, forcing the vehicle off the road and into a traffic camera pole on the shoulder of the roadway.  Whyte’s vehicle went off the road, overturned, and landed in the wooded shoulder.

The driver of the Honda, 18-year-old Ciara Hare, was trapped in the car and pronounced dead at the scene.  One passenger in the Honda, 22-year-old Jean Marc Miller, was ejected from the vehicle and died after being taken to Nassau University Medical Center.  Another passenger, 18-year-old Florence Oprisan, was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the same hospital.  Whyte sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The event data recorder from Whyte’s vehicle indicated he was allegedly driving approximately 93 miles per hour five seconds before he struck the victim vehicle, DA Donnelly said.

The charges against Whyte include aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and driving while ability impaired by drugs.

“The defendant’s alleged deadly actions took place before 9:00 in the evening, when countless other cars – and possible victims – were on the road,” Donnelly said. “This selfish, dangerous behavior on our roads puts us all at risk and must stop.

Whyte pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Tuesday.  If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

Visit our car accident news blog for more information on the latest accidents in New York.

Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured or lost someone you love in an unfortunate car accident in New York City or Long Island? If so, contact the New York  City car accident lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. who can help you recover compensation for medical treatments, lost wages and income, and pain and suffering.  Contact us today at 855-TOP-FIRM to set up a free and confidential consultation.