Hempstead man faces manslaughter charges after fatal drunk driving accident

MINEOLA, NY — Today, Elvin Maradiaga Ortiz, a 33-year-old Hempstead man, was arraigned in Nassau County on multiple charges, including manslaughter, after he allegedly drove while drunk and crashed into a pole in February, killing one passenger and injuring another.

Ortiz faced Judge Christopher Quinn and pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, to name a few. He was remanded in custody and a trial date was set for July 18, 2024. If convicted, Ortiz could face between 7.5 and 15 years in prison on the main charge.

District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly explained that Ortiz fled the scene on foot after the accident on Jerusalem Avenue, which caused the vehicle to roll over and killed 35-year-old Alex Banegas Figueroa. Surveillance video allegedly shows Ortiz drinking excessively at a local bar for several hours before the accident. “There is no excuse for drunk driving,” District Attorney Donnelly said, emphasizing the serious consequences of such reckless behavior.

Figueroa was found unconscious in the back seat of the Jeep and later succumbed to his injuries at Nassau University Medical Center on March 1, 2024. The accident highlighted the critical dangers of driving while under the influence and led to renewed calls for greater public awareness and stricter enforcement of laws against driving while under the influence.

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Community Management and Recreation Department, under the leadership of Mayor Rodrick, successfully launched its summer concert series at Shelter Cove Beach. The first show featured the Bruce Springsteen tribute band TRAMPS LIKE US and drew a large crowd of residents for an evening of classic hits and community spirit.

The event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Toms River Parks Department, Buildings & Grounds Department and Recreation Department. Their hard work in setting up the venue ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Mayor Dan Rodrick thanked the staff who worked tirelessly on the event and invited residents to participate in upcoming events.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their gratitude for the well-organized evening that brought local music lovers together. The next concert in the series will be Dr. K’s Motown Revue on July 10. The community encourages all residents to come along and enjoy another fantastic event at Shelter Cove Beach.

Upcoming concerts:

• July 10 (July 15 if it rains): Dr. K’s Motown Revue.
• July 24 (rainy July 29): Garden State Radio.
• August 7 (rainy on August 12): The Infernos.
• August 14 (or August 19 if it rains): Austin City Nights.
• August 21 (rainy day August 26): Second contact.

SAVANNAH, MO – The small town of Savannah, Missouri is grappling with a tragic incident involving the death of a police dog named Horus. He reportedly died in a hot car after a night patrol shift. The incident occurred on June 20 and has since sparked widespread outrage and concern on social media.

Police Chief David Vincent confirmed the loss and stated that the Savannah Police Department and the community suffered tremendously as a result of the incident. According to reports from Kansas City Fox affiliate WDAF, which cited police sources, Horus was left in the car overnight. Further details on how long Horus was left in the car have not been released, but the impact of the high temperatures is considered central to the investigation.

The National Weather Service recorded temperatures as high as 90 degrees that day, with a low of 70 degrees. The American Veterinary Medical Association points out that temperatures can rise quickly inside an enclosed vehicle, reaching as high as 135 degrees within an hour if it’s 90 degrees outside, and 115 degrees if it’s 70 degrees.

McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania – A tragic case occurred in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, where a young couple was charged in connection with the death of their newborn son. Joshua Coleman Wooters, 19, and Emily Jane Dickinson, 20, face several charges following the March 2024 incident, including manslaughter, conspiracy, covering up the death of an infant, and desecration of a corpse.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, authorities were alerted to the presence of a dead newborn in the street near the intersection of Lincoln Way and North 2nd Street on the morning of March 11. Upon arrival, officers discovered the baby boy’s body, along with a blood-stained mattress, a placenta and several disposable items in a garbage bag.

The newborn was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered from severe blood loss less than a day after his birth. It is alleged that the bled-to-death child’s body was thrown from the second-floor window of the couple’s home.

In addition to the above charges, Wooters was also charged with a felony count of obstructing prosecution. The case shocked the public and underscored the seriousness of the allegations against the young couple.

Both Wooters and Dickinson were taken into custody.

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention has issued a safety alert following a fire incident involving the lithium-ion battery of an electric bicycle. The incident occurred at approximately 11:37 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 on Las Vegas Road in the Monterey Beach section.

Ocean Beach Fire Company No. 3 responded to the scene after receiving reports of a fire. Upon arrival, emergency responders confirmed that the fire was primarily focused on the battery of an electric bike parked in front of a residence. The homeowner had already largely extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived.

Despite initial containment measures, the situation escalated when the damaged battery, which had already been secured for disposal by the Berkeley Township Hazmat Team, caught fire again in the back seat of the homeowner’s vehicle.

This unusual event required a second deployment of the fire brigade and the hazardous materials team, who worked for several hours to secure the situation.

Inspector Carlin, who documented the incident, noted that the battery was not only original to the bike, but had also been charged using the manufacturer’s charger and was not in use at the time of the fire. It had been stored outdoors in direct sunlight, which may have contributed to the incident.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD – A commercial robbery occurred at the Brooklyn Tub Laundromat on Ritchie Highway in Brooklyn, resulting in an ongoing investigation by the Anne Arundel County Police Department. The incident, which occurred on June 26, 2024 at approximately 5:45 p.m., involved an unidentified male suspect who assaulted an employee and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect reportedly became agitated when the clerk was unable to give him change, at which point he forced his way into the cash register, assaulted the clerk, and took cash from the register. He was last seen fleeing in a silver sedan toward Baltimore. Despite immediate efforts, officers arriving at the scene were unable to locate the suspect or the vehicle.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s to early 30s. He has a beard and was wearing a camouflage hat, glasses, a green shirt, gray sweatpants and white shoes at the time of the incident. The Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Regional Crimes Unit is actively investigating and asks anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect to contact them at 410-222-4730 or through the Tip Line at 410-222-4700.