Fatal crash in Freeport

William Billups, 45, of Hempstead has been charged with Manslaughter in the 2nd degree after a two-car crash in Freeport killed his 33 year-old female companion Wednesday evening, Nov. 2.

According to police, Billups was driving a 2001 Buick LeSabre heading south on Rutland Road in Freeport when it struck a 2012 Mercedes Benz, driven by a 24 year-old man. The Mercedes Benz was travelling west on Seaman Avenue. The impact caused both vehicles to be pushed into the southwest corner of the intersection and the Mercedes Benz was pushed into a house on Seaman Avenue, police said.

The driver of the Mercedes Benz suffered a broken jaw and was transported to an area hospital. Billups suffered a leg and a head injury and was also taken to the hospital. The woman was transported to Nassau University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 10:48 p.m. Police said she died from blunt force trauma. Police did not release her name at press time.

The accident occurred at 8:20 p.m., just three minutes after Nassau County police attempted to stop Billups in Roosevelt at the corner of Independence and North Main Streets. “Two plain clothes officers saw the vehicle moving at a high speed in Roosevelt,” Detective Captain John Azatta, commanding officer of the Homicide Squad said. Although the Buick Le Sabre slowed down when the police approached the vehicle, “it didn’t park and took off,” Azatta said. Police returned to their vehicle and attempted to follow but “lost sight of the vehicle. Three minutes later they heard a loud noise and came across the accident.”

Billups is charged with second degree manslaughter, third degree assault and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. “He is on parole until 2018,”Azatta said. “He has had 22 prior arrests, 12 are for felonies; 10 misdemeanors. He have seven suspensions on his license” he said. The District Attorney’s office said Billups would be arraigned later this afternoon.