Eugene Golden was intoxicated when he drove drunk into oncoming traffic and crashed his car
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Huntington man pleaded guilty today to Aggravated Vehicular Assault and other charges related to a March 2016 crash in Woodbury, where the defendant drove drunk into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a vehicle, permanently injuring the driver and her 10-year-old daughter.
Eugene Golden, 61, pleaded guilty before Supervising Judge Christopher Quinn to charges of:
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a C felony)
- Two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony)
- Aggravated Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol (an unclassified misdemeanor)
The defendant is due back in court November 15 and is expected to be sentenced to 4-1/2 years in prison. The NCDA is recommending four to 12 years in prison.
“A 10-year-old girl and her mother are forced to live with these permanent and debilitating injuries because of the defendant’s criminal actions,” DA Singas said. “This crash reminds us of the dangers that drunk driving poses to innocent people - and it will not be tolerated in Nassau County.”
DA Singas said that on March 8, 2016, at approximately 9:38 p.m., the defendant was driving a Mercedes Benz SUV northbound on Woodbury Road, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Nissan Versa that was traveling southbound. The Nissan was driven by a 43-year-old woman who had her 10-year-old daughter in the backseat.
The crash occurred less than a half mile from the restaurant where the defendant had been excessively drinking.
The victims in the Nissan were transported to local hospitals in critical condition. The 43-year-old woman suffered multiple fractured ribs, a fractured shoulder, a fractured spine and required the surgical removal of part of her colon. Her daughter suffered from a severe traumatic brain injury, which required three brain surgeries. Both victims continue to deal with significant medical issues that directly resulted from the crash.
The defendant was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Zizza and Deputy Chief Michael Bushwack of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting the case. Golden is represented by Steven Epstein, Esq.