Joseph Beer, 19, pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide

Crash near Southern State Parkway exit 17N left four teenagers dead

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Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that Joseph Beer, 19, of South Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty today to the top charge against him in a high-speed crash that resulted in the deaths of four young people near exit 17N on the Southern State Parkway in October 2012.

Beer pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. If convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide at trial, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Beer was convicted last month of four counts of 2nd degree manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. At that time, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on aggravated vehicular homicide and therefore did not consider its lesser included charges.

Beer is due back in court on Aug. 26.

“For the families of the four teenagers killed in this horrific crash, there will be no end to the pain and sorrow felt for the young lives that ended much too soon,” DA Rice said. “Today’s plea ensures that justice will be served while sparing these grieving families the heavy emotional toll of a second trial.”

At approximately 3:35 a.m. on Oct. 8, 2012, Beer was driving his 2012 Subaru Impreza in excess of 110 mph westbound on the Southern State Parkway His friends, one age 17 and three age 18, were in the car with him. As Beer approached Exit 17N, he lost control of his car and skidded over 200 feet across all three lanes of traffic, where he left the road, hit a tree, and the car was ripped apart.

Killed in the crash were Darian Ramnarine, 18, of Inwood; Peter Kanhai, 18, of South Ozone Park; Neal Rajapa, 17, of South Ozone Park; and Christopher Kahn, 18, of Ozone Park, all of whom were thrown from the vehicle. Beer, who only possessed a learner’s permit, suffered minor injuries. Two separate blood tests revealed the active ingredient of marijuana. The defendant admitted smoking marijuana immediately before driving.