A Hempstead man with a history of seizures has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly ignoring medical advice to not drive before a crash that killed his 27-year-old partner and 4-year-old son two years ago, Nassau County prosecutors said.
Renen Vides pleaded not guilty Monday at Nassau County court to charges of second-degree manslaughter, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.
“In spite of repeated warnings and repeated seizures, the defendant recklessly drove anyway, risking everyone in his path,” Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.
Prosecutors said the 29-year-old man was driving his Mitsubishi Galant eastbound on Old Country Road when he veered off the road and struck a tree front of the Source Mall in Westbury shortly before noon on Sept. 29, 2013.
Two passengers in the car—his common-law wife, Martha Candida Hernandez Majano, and his son, Renen Vides Jr.—died at the scene.
The driver wasn’t taking his prescribed seizure medication, was having seizures in the months leading up to the crash and lost consciousness immediately prior to hitting the tree, authorities said.
A grand jury indicted Vides on March 30 following a lengthy and investigation. Garden City police officers who pulled him over Friday for driving without a front license plate took him into custody after finding that he had a warrant for his arrest.
Judge Philip Grella set bail for Vides at $250,000. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. He is due back in court Sept. 2.
