Orange County News
For Immediate Release                                                                        Contact: Christopher Borek
July 27, 2018                                                                                    845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c

District Attorney Hoovler Announce Charges in Automobile Fatality

Man Charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide 

In Connection with the Death of Another Motorist 

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, July 27, 2018, Robinson Perez, 30, of Manhattan, was arraigned on an Indictment charging him with: Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Operating A Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Drugs (as a Felony), Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Criminally Negligent Homicide. The charges were filed in connection with the death of a man who was killed when the car he was driving on July 16, 2017, on State Route 17M, in the Town of Wallkill, was struck by a car that Perez had been driving.

Bail was set by Orange County Court Judge William DeProspo in the amount of $1,000,000 cash or $3,000,000 bond. Prosecutors had argued that bail should be set in that amount since it is alleged that New York State Troopers had unsuccessfully attempted to pull Perez over when they noticed Perez driving a BMW automobile in excess of 100 miles per hour prior to the fatal collision. It is alleged that Perez was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the collision and that the car he had been driving crossed over the double yellow line into the opposing lane of travel before colliding head-on with the oncoming car. Perez is next scheduled to appear in County Court on September 5, 2018.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of Perez.

            “Fatalities caused by those who drive while under the influence of any substance are as preventable as they are tragic,” said District Attorney David Hoovler.  “I thank the New York State Police for their investigation of this case and the arrest of the defendant.  My office will continue to work with the New York State Police and all of law enforcement partners to prosecute those who selfishly place the lives of others in jeopardy by driving while under the influence. My deepest condolences go out to the family of the victim this case.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Leah Canton.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.