Diamond Hawkins, 25, was a passenger in a new car her grandmother bought her when she was killed
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Roosevelt man has pleaded guilty today to charges related to a fatal car crash in Hempstead on Nov. 21, 2015, in which the defendant’s girlfriend was killed.
Horace Cummings, 34, pleaded guilty in front of Supreme Court Justice Robert McDonald to Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree (a C felony), Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree (an A misdemeanor) and Driving while Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Alcohol and Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant is due back in court on April 6 for sentencing.
The NCDA is recommending that the defendant be sentenced to five to 15 years in prison. Cummings remains held on at $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash.
“Diamond Hawkins’ young life was stolen from her by a man she trusted,” DA Singas said. “The terrible ironies in this crash do not obscure the fact that Horace Cummings was driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs. He risked every life on the road that night, including the innocent driver of the car he struck, but ultimately took the life of his girlfriend.”
DA Singas said that on Nov. 21, 2015, at approximately 2:40 a.m., the defendant was impaired by drugs and alcohol when he operated a 2015 Nissan Altima in Hempstead. Cummings crossed over the center line on Front Street and the car collided head on with another vehicle driving eastbound. Cummings’ passenger and girlfriend, Diamond Hawkins, was killed in the collision. The victim had just turned 25 years old and was given the Altima as a birthday gift. The defendant suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the other car was uninjured.
Cummings was later indicted and surrendered to the Nassau County Police Department on Aug. 8.
Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Palma of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case. Cummings is represented by Michael Siff, Esq.
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