Driver's charge in fatal accident may merge with earlier case

A judge will decide whether to merge charges in two separate cases against Austin Soldano, 29, of Seaford, who was allegedly driving with a suspended license in December when he fatally struck 12-year-old Zachary Ranftle in Valley Stream.

Soldano, who is due to appear in Nassau County Criminal Court on Feb. 10, forfeited his license after an Aug. 10 arrest in Long Beach, when he was charged with felony driving while intoxicated, according to police.

He was charged with second- and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a traffic violation for not having a valid driver’s license in connection with the Dec. 11 incident.

Soldano’s attorney, Robert J. Brunetti of Mineola, said his client “was unaware his license was suspended” when he struck Ranftle. He declined to provide further explanation.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Casa refuted the claim of ignorance at a December bail hearing on the DWI charge, saying that Soldano physically turned over his license after it was suspended due to the DWI charge.

Officials in the district attorney’s office declined to comment on the possibility that the two cases might be merged, saying the decision is up to the judge. Brunetti opposed combining the charges on the grounds that it would be “very prejudicial.”