Man pleads guilty to killing 3 women leaving Sweet 16 in crash: DA
NEW HYDE PARK, NY (PIX11) — A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty to a DWI crash that killed three women leaving a sweet 16 party on Long Island in May of 2022, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly.
Dante Lennon was drunk driving and speeding at about 70 mph on Jericho Turnpike around 11 p.m. when he crashed his Mercedes Benz, according to Donnelly. Lennon hit a Lincoln town car and a parked pickup truck. The impact led to the deaths of Marlene Luu, 66, Hoa Ho, 68, and Tu Nguyen, 41.
“A sweet 16 party should be a cherished memory for family, but because of this defendant’s reckless and callous disregard for other motorists, it will instead be remembered as an unbelievable tragedy,” said Donnelly. “In an instant, three family members were lost and another three injured when Dante Lennon, drunk and speeding, barreled into their Town Car. We continue to hold the family of Marlene Luu, Hoa Ho, and Tu Nguyen in our thoughts as this defendant is sentenced for his crimes.”
The crash also injured three men who were in the car. All six victims were related, according to officials.
Lennon pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Aggravated vehicular homicide
Three counts of manslaughter in the second degree
Three counts of assault in the second degree
Three counts of assault in the third degree
Driving while intoxicated
Officials said Lennon is expected to serve six to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City and Washington D.C. areas. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
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