A Hempstead man was indicted in Nassau County for a horrific drunk driving incident that resulted in a fatal crash in Uniondale. On February 24, 2024, at approximately 5:10 a.m., Elvin Maradiaga Ortiz, 33, was driving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Jerusalem Avenue while intoxicated. Ortiz, who had spent hours excessively drinking at a local bar, veered off the roadway, crashing into a pole and flipping the vehicle.
The crash left one of his passengers, 35-year-old Alex Banegas Figueroa, unconscious in the backseat, while another passenger suffered head and shoulder injuries. Instead of helping his injured passengers, Ortiz allegedly fled the scene on foot. Figueroa was transported to Nassau University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead one week later on March 1, 2024.
The defendant was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department on March 21, 2024, after surveillance video pieced together his movements leading up to the crash. Investigators discovered that Ortiz had been drinking heavily at a local bar before getting behind the wheel.
Ortiz was arraigned before Judge Christopher Quinn on charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, assault, and driving while intoxicated. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded. If convicted, he faces up to five to 15 years in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 18, 2024.
“After crashing his vehicle into a pole on Jerusalem Avenue, flipping the car and killing 35-year-old Alex Banegas Figueroa, this defendant allegedly took off on foot,” said DA Anne Donnelly. “Piecing together his movements before the fatal crash using surveillance video, investigators discovered that Maradiaga Ortiz allegedly spent hours excessively drinking at a local bar before getting behind the wheel and veering off the roadway. There is no excuse for drinking and driving. It is a decision that can have catastrophic consequences and can cost someone their life.”
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
