A drunken driving 20-year-old Queens man was charged with manslaughter following a crash that claimed the life of one of the passengers in his car in Cedarhurst early Saturday morning, Nassau police said.
Gehlert Barrios, of Far Rockaway, was driving his Nissan southbound Rockaway Turnpike when he rear-ended a Ford van near the corner of Rugby Road at 4:30 a.m., police said.
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Barrios’ 30-year-old rear passenger, Anthony Morales, of Far Rockaway, sustained multiple trauma and was taken to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead five hours later. The 21 year-old front-seat passenger, whose name police did not release, sustained neck and back injuries and was taken to St Johns Hospital for treatment.
The 50-year-old man driving the van was taken to St. Johns Hospital with neck and back injuries. Both vehicles were impounded for brake and safety checks.
Homicide Squad detectives charged Barrios with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving while intoxicated.
His bail was set at $200,000 bond, $100,000 cash during his arraignment at First District Court in Hempstead on Sunday.
