West Islip Man Charged in Crash That Killed Teen

A West Islip man was arrested Tuesday and charged in the deadly crash that took the life of 15-year-old Thomas Labetti in September.

Dennis Grabhorn, Jr., 34, was charged Wednesday in Suffolk County court following a seven-month investigation by Suffolk County Police.
 
According to police, Grabhorn was driving his 2006 Chevy Tahoe at the traffic light at Udall Road and the Sunrise Highway service road in West Islip when a vehicle in the turn lane preparing to turn left moved from the turn lane back into the southbound lane in front of Grabhorn. Police said Grabhorn became "angry" and began tailgating the vehicle, then passed the vehicle in the turning lane and cut back in front of it near the intersection of Pine Avenue. It was then, police said, that Grabhorn struck Labetti, of West Islip, who was riding his bicycle on the southbound side of Udall Road.

Labetti sustained critical injuries in the September 11 crash. He died from his injuries 17 days later at Good Samaritan Hospital.

A memorial fund was established in Labetti's honor following his passing.

“Today’s arraignment brings a defendant before the court who as a result of his reckless driving, caused the tragic death of a 15 year old boy while he was riding his bike,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Wednesday.

Spota added that Grabhorn was found to be in unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Grabhorn was arraigned Wednesday by Acting Supreme Court Justice Camacho and charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and various traffic violations. Justice Camacho set bail at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.