A West Hempstead man who was behind the wheel in a crash that killed two passengers and severely injured two others is facing upgraded charges alleging that he was drunk and high.
Kervens Boutin was charged Friday in Nassau County court with vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter, vehicular assault, assault, driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, driving while intoxicated by the combined use of drugs and alcohol, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors said the 31-year-old was speeding in a Nissan Maxima westbound on the Southern State Parkway when he lost control and crashed into trees on the side of the roadway just east of exit 22 at 5:45 a.m. on Jan. 27.
Two passengers, 22-year-old Blossom Castro and 20-year-old Bryan Rivas, both of Hempstead, were killed in the crash. The two surviving passengers were ejected, including a 22-year-old man who had his right leg severed and a 19-year-old man who suffered severe internal injuries.
Both of Boutin’s legs were severed in the crash. Prosecutors said his blood-alcohol content 40 minutes after the crash was 0.31 percent, nearly four times the legal limit, and that marijuana was active in his system
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. A judge set his bail at $100,000 cash or bond. He is due back in court July 22.
