Long Beach man pleads guilty to manslaughter

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced that a Long Beach man pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter and other charges for a March 2022 motorcycle crash that killed a pedestrian in Rockville Centre.

Christopher Flores, 29, pleaded guilty before Judge Caryn Fink to second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs and driving while intoxicated. Flores is expected to be sentenced to five to 12 years in prison when he is next in court on April 17.

“Christopher Flores was more than two times the legal limit for alcohol and high on marijuana when he slammed into Scott Brower as he crossed Merrick Road,” said Donnelly. “Scott was walking home after meeting a friend at a local restaurant to watch the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament and have a few drinks. Scott chose not to drive, and despite making the responsible choice, still tragically lost his life to drunk driving. Pedestrians should not have to fear being mowed down by an impaired driver on our streets. NCDA will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals who flout our laws and endanger our residents.”

Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on March 19, 2022, at approximately 11:53 p.m., the victim, Scott Brower, was crossing Merrick Road at South Forest Avenue in a crosswalk when he was struck by Flores driving a 2020 BMW motorcycle while intoxicated and high.

Flores was thrown from the motorcycle, which crashed into another vehicle before finally coming to rest.

Brower was transported to Nassau University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 1:40 a.m.

The defendant also suffered significant physical injuries and was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside for treatment.

Blood taken from the defendant at the hospital showed a BAC of .17% and evidence of cannabis use.

He was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department on March 20.