Teen charged Farmingdale crash that killed 5, including 4 students

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Thursday, January 15, 2015
Teen charged with manslaughter in LI wreck that killed 5
NJ Burkett reports on a teen who was allegedly drag racing with a driver who crashed, killing 5 people in his car

FARMINGDALE (WABC) -- Charges were unsealed Thursday in the Farmingdale crash that claimed the lives of four high school students and a recent graduate last May.



Investigators had been looking into whether drag racing was involved in the accident, and now, 18-year-old Cory Gloe is charged with five counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault and five counts of criminally-negligent homicide, as well as other charges of reckless driving, reckless endangement and leaving the scene of an accident.



The arraignment was attended by many friends and relatives of those killed, all of whom silently left the courtroom without responding to questions.



The defense attorney insisted that his client played no role in the fatal crash.



Nassau County Court Judge Terence Murphy suspended Gloe's license and set bail at $50,000 cash or bond. He is due back in court on February 11, and if convicted of the top charge against him, he faces a maximum of five to 15 years in prison.




The incident happened just after midnight on Saturday, May 10, on Conklin Street.



According to detectives, a 2001 Nissan driven by a 17-year-old Tristan Reichle was traveling westbound when the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck by GMC Suburban operated by a 53-year-old man.



Images from the scene of the crash and the emotional vigil:



There were five people inside, two of whom were ejected. Four victims died immediately after the accident, while the fifth died at the hospital the next day.



Prosecutors allege that Gloe stopped at a red light in the lane next to Reichle, challenging him to a race several times. When the traffic signal turned green, the two cars crossed Route 110 and were racing each other westbound on Conklin Street when Reichle lost control.



Killed in the crash were Reichle, 18-year-old Jesse Romero, 14-year-old Carly Lonborg and 15-year-old Noah Francis. Cody Talanian, 17, was pronounced dead at 10 p.m. the following evening at Nassau University Medical Center.



All five victims attended Farmingdale High School, though one was a former student.



The driver and female passenger of the Suburban were transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

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