DA: Blood alcohol level of truck driver Steve Romeo was below limit
SOUTHOLD, N.Y. -- The blood alcohol content of the pickup driver charged in the crash that killed four limousine passengers over the weekend on Long Island was below the legal threshold for DWI, officials said.
Steve Romeo's level was .066, Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota said at a news conference Friday morning.
He clarified that the result, while it is below the legal threshold for driving while intoxicated, does not mean that the charge will be lowered.
"Right now, standing alone, standing alone, (the charge) would be driving while impaired," he said. "But that is not the final factor that we would consider in determining whether it is driving while intoxicated," said Spota.
Romeo has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge. His next court date has been rescheduled for September. His lawyers released the following statement:
"We are mindful that four precious young lives were lost in this accident. Steve Romeo is devastated by the loss of those lives and the injuries sustained. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families. We maintain that Steve Romeo was NOT intoxicated while driving at the time of the accident, nor did he cause the accident. We are entitled to see the written report and all related paperwork regarding the Blood Kit that the district atty is referring to. Upon receipt of that report and further documents, we may have further comment. We will also wait to see what the results of the ax reconstruction reveals."
Bail, initially set at $500,000, was reduced to $50,000 on Thursday.
Investigators have not talked to survivors, including the victim who was released. Investigators have interviewed the limo driver.
Romeo has been hospitalized since Saturday.
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