Long Island man pleads guilty to DUI crash that killed parents of 2 young girls

A Long Island man pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing two people while driving drunk last year, according to authorities.

Sotirios Spanos, 33, confessed as part of a plea deal, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. He’s expected to receive between seven and 21 years in prison.

Odalis and Ismenia Urena, both 37, were the victims of the Aug. 12, 2023 crash in Laurel Hollow.

“Ismenia and Odalis Urena were a young, successful couple with two daughters and many years of happiness ahead of them, but all of that was erased when this defendant struck the Urenas’ vehicle head-on that August morning and killed them,” Donnelly said in a statement.

The Urenas were driving westbound through Laurel Hollow on Northern Boulevard in a convertible around 12:30 a.m. on the day of the crash, according to investigators.

Spanos was traveling eastbound on the same road in an Acura SUV, police said. He swerved into oncoming traffic and slammed into the Urenas’ vehicle directly into the front passenger side. He then drove over the vehicle, authorities said.

According to the Acura’s data, Spanos was traveling 100 mph just 2.5 seconds before the crash. He started breaking 1.5 seconds before impact and was traveling about 84 mph when he struck the Urenas’ convertible.

“His reckless and selfish choices orphaned two girls and shattered a family,” Donnelly said. “Our thoughts are with all of Ismenia and Odalis Urena’s friends and loved ones who continue to suffer the pain of their senseless and tragic loss.”

Spanos pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of felony second-degree assault and one count of DWI. He initially faced additional vehicular manslaughter counts, which were apparently dropped as part of his plea deal.

Spanos is due back in court on June 17.