Guilty Plea In Crash That Killed West Islip Man

A Brentwood man has pleaded guilty to driving drunk and killing two men — including one from West Islip — in an April 2011 crash on the Wantagh State Parkway.

This past Friday, Oscar Ramirez, 30, entered the guilty plea to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and Driving While Intoxicated. A judge agreed to sentence Ramirez to five to 15 years in prison in exchange for his plea. Ramirez is due back in court July 26.

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According to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, Ramirez was driving a Ford Windstar minivan northbound on Wantagh Parkway when he side-swiped a Kia sedan driven by Larry Scuteri, 49, of West Islip and Daniel Gambardella, 46, of North Babylon.

After being hit by Ramirez’ minivan, the Kia was pushed on to the parkway’s east shoulder and across the grass, became airborne and struck a tree, which killed Scuteri and Gambardella instantly.

Ramirez, who Rice said is in the country illegally and has no driver’s license, admitted that he drank nine beers that night and had a blood-alcohol content of .10 more than two hours after the crash.

Scuteri and Gambardella were on their way to Manhattan where both men worked as members of the Carpenter’s Union.

“This is a devastating tragedy that could have easily been prevented if this defendant had chosen to put down his keys and call a cab,” Rice said. “Unfortunately, Oscar Ramirez made a different choice, and he must now face the repercussions of that decision.”