A Queens teenager has been indicted on manslaughter charges for allegedly speeding while high on drugs when he crashed his car in West Hempstead last month, killing four friends who were riding with him.
Joseph Beer was also charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated by drugs, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license. His bail was set Friday at $1 million cash or $2 million bond.
Nassau County prosecutors said the 17-year-old was driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI westbound over 110 mph when he skidded off the parkway and hit several trees near exit 17 in the early morning hours of Monday, Oct. 8.
Darian Ramnarine, of Inwood, Peter Kanhai and Christopher Kahn, all 18, were killed along with 17-year-old Neal Rajapa. Kanhai, Kahn and Rajapa were from Queens.
All four were thrown from the vehicle, which was ripped in half. Beer, who was driving with a learner’s permit disqualifying him from driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., suffered minor injuries.
Authorities said blood samples taken from Beer two hours after the crash tested positive for marijuana.
Beer’s parents, Patricia and Aaditia Beer, were charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle for knowingly allowing their son to drive without a license, prosecutors said.
They each face up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $300. Beer faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.
