iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A 36-year-old Indian-origin construction executive, Amandeep Singh, has been sentenced to 8 and a third to 25 years in prison for causing a fatal crash while driving under influence, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers.
The tragic incident took place in May 2023 on Long Island, New York.
Singh, who was driving at a dangerous speed of 150 km/h (95 mph) in a 40 mph zone, crashed his pickup truck into a car carrying 14-year-old Ethan Falkowitz and Drew Hassenbein, both eighth-graders from Roslyn Middle School.
The crash killed the two boys and injured two other teenagers. Singh was found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit, and cocaine in his system. Authorities also discovered a bottle of tequila in his vehicle.
The courtroom was filled with emotional family and friends on Friday as Singh was sentenced for his actions.
Singh, who appeared unmoved and barely acknowledged the grieving family members, spoke in court for the first time, expressing deep remorse. “This was all my fault. Losing a child is the greatest grief. I have committed the great sin. If anyone should have died, it should have been me,” he said.
The crash occurred after Singh had attended a tennis tournament victory dinner with the boys, who were on their way home when Singh drove the wrong way at a dangerously high speed. After the crash, Singh fled the scene and hid behind a dumpster at a nearby shopping center, where he was arrested by police. He was reportedly so intoxicated that he believed he was in New Jersey.
Initially, Singh pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene, and driving while intoxicated and impaired. However, he later changed his plea to guilty in early January. Defense attorney, James Kousouros, said, “Amandeep Singh accepted full responsibility for what happened on that tragic night. He will live with it for the rest of his life. Irrespective of the punishment the justice system gives him, he will feel his own punishment forever.”
The district attorney emphasized that there was no plea deal in place and that Singh would face no reduction in his sentence.
(Photo courtesy: www.pexels.com)
