Suspect charged in crash that killed 3 after Sweet 16 party pleads not guilty

A Freeport man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide after a May crash that killed three women who had just left a family member’s Sweet 16 party at a  New Hyde Park catering hall.

Defendant Dante Lennon, 22, appeared at his Nassau County Court arraignment in a wheelchair after the May 21 crash on Jericho Turnpike that also sent him to the hospital.

Lennon's Manhattan attorney, Robert Gottlieb, told Acting State Supreme Court Justice Tammy S. Robbins his client's family so far hadn't been able to post Lennon's previously set $425,000 bond and that he might ask for a bail adjustment in the future.

Prosecutor Katie Zizza asked the judge to keep the bail the same and said she had handed over evidence to the defense.

Court records show some of the other charges against Lennon include drunken driving, assault, manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.

Authorities have alleged Lennon was drunk behind the wheel of an eastbound Mercedes-Benz that slammed into a Lincoln Town Car with six family members in it at about 11:08 p.m, causing what Nassau’s police commissioner previously described as a “horrific” crash as the Lincoln's driver tried to turn left onto Jericho Turnpike from Third Street.

Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement Monday that Lennon's vehicle "T-boned'  the Lincoln while he was driving with "a dangerous combination of speed and intoxication."

She added: "It was supposed to be a day of celebration for a family and a young woman turning 16, but the tragic events of that evening will have a ripple effect for generations to come."

A felony complaint said Lennon’s preliminary breath test showed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.088% — above the 0.08% legal threshold for intoxication, Newsday previously reported.

The complaint also said Lennon had glassy, bloodshot eyes and acknowledged he’d had alcohol before the crash.

The victims had just left the party at The Inn at New Hyde Park when the collision occurred.  Prosecutors said Monday that Lennon's vehicle also rear-ended a parked pickup truck following the impact with the Lincoln. 

Among those who died was Marlene Luu, 66, of Woodside, Queens, the grandmother of the teenager who had just celebrated her milestone birthday.

Hoa Ho, 68, of Woodside — the aunt of the party's host  — and Tu Nguyen, 41, of North Carolina — the host’s cousin — also died, according to authorities. They said the crash also injured three male family members in the car, who are 72, 67 and 42 and needed hospital care.

One of the two men who came to court Monday on behalf of the victims said they had no comment.

The crash prompted police to initiate a crackdown on drunken driving, speeding and other traffic infractions.

Gottlieb described his client in a Newsday interview after the arraignment as a soft-spoken, caring young man with a "spotless record" who works as a swim instructor.

"He is devastated by what happened here," he added of Lennon.

Gottlieb also said the defense is "actively investigating every aspect of this tragedy."