Carlos Orellana Mata, 36, of Bay Shore, faced the consequences of his actions today as he pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in connection with a tragic incident on March 18, 2023 that took the life of a passenger in his car. The crash on Jericho Turnpike in Elwood claimed the life of 22-year-old Lenel Umana Guitierrez Lopez from East Northport.
District Attorney Ray Tierney expressed solemnity regarding the case.
“This defendant was operating a vehicle while being twice the legal limit of drinking and in the process, claimed the life of yet another young Suffolk County victim,” said Tierney.
He further emphasized the need to curb such preventable tragedies caused by impaired driving.
According to court documents, Orellana Mata was driving a 2015 Infiniti QX60 SUV when he collided with a tractor-trailer, resulting in Guitierrez Lopez’s death. Police officers noted Orellana Mata’s intoxicated state upon arrival, with subsequent toxicology tests revealing a blood alcohol concentration of .15%. Additional blood tests conducted earlier at the hospital indicated an even higher concentration of .20%.
Orellana Mata pleaded guilty to charges including Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. His sentencing, set for August 7, 2024, could lead to a prison term of three to nine years. Assistant District Attorney Ray Varuolo of the Vehicular Crime Bureau is leading the prosecution, with investigative support from Suffolk County Police Department Detective Sean McQuaid of the Major Case Unit.
