An Oceanside man has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges after authorities said he was driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs when he struck and killed a 78-year-old pedestrian in Oceanside in June.
Niall Duignan, 24, was arraigned before Nassau County Judge Colin O’Donnell on charges including second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter and second-degree assault, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Duignan pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court Oct. 19.
According to the indictment, Duignan was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Express van at about 4:40 p.m. June 18 when he stopped at a red light at the intersection of Weidner Avenue and Long Beach Road.
Patricia Pfaus, 78, was crossing Weidner Avenue in a crosswalk when Duignan allegedly made a right turn against the red light onto Long Beach Road and struck her, authorities said.
Pfaus was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with serious injuries, including facial fractures, broken ribs, a lacerated liver and a traumatic brain injury. She remained on a ventilator for nearly a month before she died July 17, authorities said.
Blood drawn from Duignan about 2 1/2 hours after the crash showed a blood alcohol content of .15 percent, according to prosecutors. A toxicology report also found cocaine and marijuana in his system, authorities said.
Duignan also faces misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired by drugs, as well as other charges and traffic violations.
Donnelly said the crash was preventable and accused Duignan of getting behind the wheel while impaired.
“This tragedy was as preventable as it was criminal, and my office will seek justice for Patricia and her family as we prosecute this case,” Donnelly said in a statement.
Duignan was arrested by Nassau County police on June 18. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison.
The charges are accusations, and Duignan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
