On Wednesday, the man accused of driving under the influence and striking a group of three workers was arraigned on an indictment.
Thomas Lobianco is accused of being under the influence of drugs when prosecutors say he drove through a red light, crossed over double yellow lines into oncoming traffic and onto a sidewalk, where he struck a group of men wearing reflective vests.
"With regard to the victims, they unfortunately never stood a chance," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
Prosecutors said the crash occurred on Aug. 10 at 6:43 a.m. They allege that after hitting the workers, Lobianco continued driving, striking a pole and a fence before his vehicle came to a stop against a tree.
Joel Sican-Porix, 38, of Mastic, was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital. Two other victims suffered serious injuries.
The family of Sican-Porix attended Wednesday's court proceeding, where Lobianco pleaded not guilty to 19 charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide.
"These are really difficult cases because they have real difficult human consequences; you have a family here who depends on a person who shows up every day and provides for his family, and in doing that he loses his life," Tierney said.
Lobianco's attorney, Robert Macedonio, said his client expressed remorse.
"He feels horrific that one individual lost his life and two others were seriously injured," Macedonio said.
According to prosecutors, the 26-year-old driver had just left his job at 7-Eleven nearby before the crash. They also said video from his workplace appeared to show him going in and out of consciousness during his shift.
Tierney said cannabis, clonazepam and a switchblade were found in Lobianco's 1999 Toyota.
"The laboratory reports we received, it is too early, they are inconclusive at this time we need further toxicology reports to make a determination what was the level of his impairment if any at the time of the accident," Macedonio said.
If convicted, Lobianco faces a prison sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years. Bail was increased to $7.5 million cash or $15 million bond.
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