Driver Gets 5 1/2 to 16 1/2 Years in Death of John Thomas Gaffney

A 32-year-old Ronkonkoma man was sentenced Monday to 5 and a half years to 16 and a half years in prison for the death of a West Islip five-year-old who was killed in a car accident on Dec. 10, 2011, according to a Newsday report.

The sentencing was the result of a plea deal for aggravated vehicular manslaughter worked out in October, according to the report.

Police say Steven Kinalis was high on oxycodone and other drugs when he crashed his car into a pickup truck carrying John Thomas Gaffney on Sunrise Highway in Mastic. The kindergartner and his family were headed to buy a Christmas tree at the time of the crash.

The Suffolk District Attorney’s office said it is one of the first convictions for impairment by prescription drugs, according to the Newsday report. Police contended Kinalis was driving over 100 mph when he caused the crash.

Kinalis was initially was charged with driving while impaired by drugs. A grand jury indictment charged him with charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter. He initially pled not guilty and if convicted on the felony charges he would have faced up to 25 years in prison.