A Westhampton Beach man was killed Sunday morning in a two-vehicle crash on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, and police have charged the second driver with DWI.
The family of the victim, Jonathan Armand Flores-Maldonado, 27, has put together a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral expenses.
“Jonathan was one of the kindest people you could have ever met. His heart was pure and he was a loving brother, son, boyfriend, cousin and friend,” the fundraising page created by Dylan Page says.
The GoFundMe page noted the arrest history of the other driver, 40-year-old Bellport resident Jordan Randolph. He has previously been convicted of DWI and had been arrested on New Year’s Day and charged with circumventing an ignition interlock device, which prevents a vehicle’s engine from starting if the driver has alcohol on his breath. Mr. Randolph was required to have such a device installed on any vehicle he drives.
“A repeat offender with an extensive criminal history was released on Jan. 2 because of the new, New York State bail reform law …” the page states. “The very next day after killing someone he walked free again because of the very same law that allowed him to commit this atrocity.”
Mr. Maldonado’s girlfriend, Rebecca Carr, made a post on social media as a tribute to her long-term boyfriend. “I spent the last three years with my soul mate, the man of my dreams and my best friend. I love you with every breath of my existence. And I know we will meet again in the next life,” she wrote.
At approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, Suffolk County Police responded to the two-vehicle crash on northbound William Floyd Parkway south of Rose Executive Boulevard in Shirley. Upon arrival, they said they found Mr. Randolph to be intoxicated behind the wheel of his 2014 Cadillac. Police say he rear-ended Mr. Maldonado’s 2015 Ford as he was traveling south.
Mr. Maldonado was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mr. Randolph was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of minor injuries. He was charged with DWI and was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment on Monday.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, at Scott-Rothwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.