Freeport man pleads guilty to fatal New Hyde Park crash

Dante Lennon, from Freeport, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter charges following a devastating drunken high-speed crash in May 2022.

Lennon, 23, entered guilty pleas on March 5 before Judge Tammy Robbins to a number of charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, assault and driving while intoxicated.

Lennon will be sentenced on June 5 and faces a sentence ranging from six to 18 years in prison. The Nassau County District Attorney's Office is recommending a term of seven to 21 years.

"A sweet sixteen party should be a cherished memory for family, but because of this defendant’s reckless and callous disregard for other motorists, it will instead be remembered as an unbelievable tragedy," District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release.

"In an instant, three family members were lost and another three injured when Dante Lennon, drunk and speeding, barreled into their Town Car,” she added. “We continue to hold the family of Marlene Luu, Hoa Ho, and Tu Nguyen in our thoughts as this defendant is sentenced for his crimes."

The fatal crash occurred on May 21, 2022, near 11:08 p.m., when Lennon was driving a Mercedes Benz at an excessive speed, roughly twice the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park, while intoxicated.

The collision, which took place as Lennon was traveling eastbound, resulted in the deaths of Marlene Luu, 66; Hoa Ho, 68; and Tu Nguyen, 41. Thre men in the car, aged 72, 42, and 67, sustained injuries. All occupants of the vehicle were relatives, leaving a Sweet 16 party at the Inn in New Hyde Park.

Lennon was arrested by Nassau police at the scene of the accident.

Robert Schalk represented Lennon.