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Baldwin Man Admits to DWI, Fatal Hit-and-run

A Baldwin man has admitted to driving while drunk and high on drugs when he struck and killed a 49-year-old Lynbrook man in Port Washington before fleeing the scene last year.

Cosmin Florea pleaded guilty Tuesday Nassau County court to vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired by the combined use of alcohol and drugs.

“Florea was drunk and high when he struck and killed Donald Mooney, who was just crossing the street to go back to work with cups of coffee for himself and a co-worker,” Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Prosecutors said a 34-year-old was driving a Ford Fusion when he struck Mooney on Main Street near the corner of South Bayles Avenue and fled the scene at 11:57 p.m. on Aug. 15. Mooney was taken to North Shore University Hospital, where he died.

A New York City police officer who saw damage to the vehicle’s windshield pulled over Florea, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.13 percent, authorities said.

Judge Helene Gugerty is expected to sentence Florea on May 12 to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.