Queens teen indicted in Nassau for deadly crash

Posted: Updated:

By TI-HUA CHANG, Fox 5 News Reporter

MYFOXNY.COM -

A Nassau County grand jury indicted Joseph Beer, 17, of Queens, with 14 felony charges from aggravated vehicular homicide to driving while intoxicated with drugs to reckless driving.

Before dawn October 8, the teenager drove with four friends, ages 17 to 18, in his new high performance Subaru Impreza, authorities said.

The prosecutor charges that the unlicensed Beer was high on marijuana when he was driving on the Southern State Parkway at 110 mph. At a curve, he then drove into a tree that spilt his car in half.

Beer survived with minor injuries. All his friends -- Darina Ramnarine, Peter Kanhai, Neal Rajap, and Christopher Kahn -- died.

With his mother crying and father looking numb, a handcuffed Beer entered a not guilty plea.

Prosecutors wanted $500,000 bail. Judge David Ayres gave him a $2 million bail bond. The teenager's transit worker father will not be able to make his son's bail, says his lawyer.

Beer faces 25 years to life if convicted of the charges.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said a message had to be sent that the teenager made a choice. She also wanted to send a message to parents that they cannot let teenagers drive without a license. They face up to 15 days in jail.

The district attorney noted that the wed before thanksgiving traditionally has the largest number of teenagers killed in traffic accidents.

Long Island NewsLong Island NewsMore>>
1 man dead, 1 injured when their car crashes into harbor on L.I.
1 man dead, 1 injured when their car crashes into harbor on L.I.
Updated: Saturday, May 18 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:05:27 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Police: victim in Hofstra Univ. shooting died from friendly fire
Police: victim in Hofstra Univ. shooting died from friendly fire
Updated: Saturday, May 18 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:57:14 GMT
Nassau County police said the Hofstra University student killed during a home invasion robbery was the victim of friendly fire from an officer.
Nassau County police said the Hofstra University student killed during a home invasion robbery was the victim of friendly fire from an officer.
Powerball jackpot hits $600 Million
Powerball jackpot hits $600 Million
Updated: Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Long Island casino in play during negotiations
Long Island casino in play during negotiations
Updated: Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Teens arrested for train station attack
Teens arrested for train station attack
Updated: Thursday, May 16 2013 9:11 AM EDT2013-05-16 13:11:55 GMT
A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old are under arrest in connection with the violent attack on a woman at a Long Island train station.
A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old are under arrest in connection with the violent attack on a woman at a Long Island train station.
Tree-killing beetle gone from Manhattan, Staten Island
Tree-killing beetle gone from Manhattan, Staten Island
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
Cuomo proposes 3-year rate freeze in LIPA takover
Cuomo proposes 3-year rate freeze in LIPA takover
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Threatening message at Baldwin High School
Threatening message at Baldwin High School
Updated: Monday, May 13 2013 6:57 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:57:44 GMT
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building.
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building. Investigators won't say was said in the message discovered over the weekend.
1 dead, 1 rescued after vessel capsizes off L.I. shore
1 dead, 1 rescued after vessel capsizes off L.I. shore
Updated: Sunday, May 12 2013 9:07 PM EDT2013-05-13 01:07:41 GMT
One man is dead after the commercial fishing boat he was in capsized of the coast of Southampton, L.I. Sunday afternoon.
One man is dead after the commercial fishing boat he was in capsized of the coast of Southampton, L.I. Sunday afternoon.
Female duck and her ducklings rescued on L.I.
Female duck and her ducklings rescued on L.I.
Updated: Sunday, May 12 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-13 00:33:35 GMT
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.

Queens NewsQueens NewsMore>>
Superstorm Sandy
Subway to resume service to Rockaways
Subway to resume service to Rockaways
Updated: Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Officials: Cigarette-smuggling ring may have funded terror groups
Officials: Smuggling ring may have funded terror groups
Updated: Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Report warns of dangers at NYC daycares
Report warns of dangers at NYC daycares
Updated: Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Another bump in the road for Taxi of Tomorrow
Another bump in the road for Taxi of Tomorrow
Updated: Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Bike lane 'crossing guards' hired to help with pedestrian, cyclist safety
Bike lane 'crossing guards' hired to help with pedestrian, cyclist safety
Updated: Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-16 00:56:35 GMT
The New York City Department of Transportation now employs crossing guards for bicycle lanes and pedestrian malls.
The New York City Department of Transportation now employs crossing guards for bicycle lanes and pedestrian malls.
German artist's canvas sells for $37M
German artist's canvas sells for $37M
Updated: Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:18 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:18:26 GMT
A monumental 20th century masterpiece by German artist Gerhard Richter (GEHR'-hahrd RIHK'-tur) has sold for $37 million at a New York City auction.
A monumental 20th century masterpiece by German artist Gerhard Richter (GEHR'-hahrd RIHK'-tur) has sold for $37 million at a New York City auction.
Appeals court approves of FDNY hiring oversight
Appeals court approves of FDNY hiring oversight
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 01:54:43 GMT
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
Tree-killing beetle gone from Manhattan, Staten Island
Tree-killing beetle gone from Manhattan, Staten Island
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
Prescription painkillers deaths up sharply in NYC
Prescription painkillers deaths up sharply in NYC
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:12 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:12:34 GMT
New York City health officials say deaths from prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin increased 261 percent between 2005 and 2011.
New York City health officials say deaths from prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin increased 261 percent between 2005 and 2011.
Health code violations at NYC school cafeterias
Health code violations at NYC school cafeterias
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:59 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:59:08 GMT
Fox 5 News looked at two years of inspection reports at both public and private schools, from kindergarten through high school, and found some of the schools with the most critical violations.
Fox 5 News looked at two years of inspection reports at both public and private schools, from kindergarten through high school, and found some of the schools with the most critical violations. We also pinpointed some school cafeterias with ongoing health code issues.

Queens teen indicted in Nassau for deadly crash - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Queens teen indicted in Nassau for deadly crash

Long Island NewsLong Island NewsMore>>

Queens NewsQueens NewsMore>>

Superstorm Sandy