Kings Park Man Pleads Not Guilty to Fatal DWI

A Kings Park man arrested in August for drunken driving pleaded not guilty after a grand jury indictment charging him with vehicular manslaughter, assault and other crimes was unsealed at Suffolk County court in Riverhead on Thursday.

Rodrigo Ramirez-Vega

Rodrigo Ramirez-Vega, 25, struck a van driven by 58-year-old Kenneth Lesser of Commack at the intersection of Harned Road and New Highway in Commack on Aug. 18, Suffolk prosecutors said. Lesser was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Vega was speeding southbound on Harned Road and ran a red light. He pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Judge William Condon remanded Vega to Suffolk County jail.

commack DWI Kenneth Lesser Kings Park Rodrigo Ramirez-Vega vehicular manslaughter

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