Hicksville man, accused of speeding and driving drunk, charged in fiery crash that killed father of 9 

A Hicksville man prosecutors say killed a father of nine last September, slamming into his car at speeds estimated up to 100 mph while driving drunk, was arraigned Tuesday on aggravated vehicular manslaughter charges and manslaughter, among other charges.

The lawyer for Miguel Nolasco, 43, entered a plea of not guilty.

"The People have the burden of proving the facts that they allege in the indictment," defense attorney Robert Schalk said after the hearing. "We're going to be hiring an accident reconstructionist. It's my understanding that there are many things that actually are in my client's favor as it pertains to evidence in this case."

Prosecutors charge that on Sept. 21, shortly after 11 p.m., Nolasco rocketed westbound down West John Street in Hicksville in his 2005 Honda Odyssey toward Prospect Avenue going about 60 mph over the posted speed limit.

Jannai Allen, 30, a musician, was going east in his Subaru on Prospect Avenue and was turning onto Cantiague Rock Road when the two cars collided.

The impact trapped Allen in his car, which burst into flames. Nolasco’s vehicle flipped several times, smashing into several trees before coming to rest, authorities said.

An hour after the crash, Nolasco’s blood/alcohol level was 0.21, nearly three times the legal limit, prosecutors said.

"With no regard for the lives of other motorists, Miguel Nolasco allegedly barreled down West John Street while intoxicated, driving more than twice the speed limit, and slammed into Jannai Allen as he tried to make a left turn. The impact of the crash set Jannai’s car ablaze and horrifically trapped him inside," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement. "The defendant allegedly admitted drinking a dozen beers that night before he made the reckless decision to get behind the wheel that cost Jannai his life."

Nolasco was remanded back into custody after the hearing, though Schalk said he reserves the right to request bail in the future.

Julissa St. Hilaire, Allen's daughter, said the hearing brought her to tears thinking about her father, who she said was always there for all of his nine children.

"He would always go to softball games with my sister," she said. "He was very supportive of us doing sports, doing music, doing anything — all of us are in extracurriculars."

Nolasco is due back in court May 6.