Baldwin woman charged in fatal collision

A Baldwin woman has been charged with manslaughter and driving while intoxicated after a crash in the hamlet early Tuesday that killed another motorist, Nassau County police said.

Jinaraya E. Khan, 31, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash about 5:15 a.m. and was transported to a hospital, according to police.

Khan was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony, and DWI. She was arraigned Wednesday in Nassau First District Court in Hempstead and released, according to online court records. Her next court appearance is Wednesday. 

Scott J. Freeman, 66, of North Baldwin, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. 

Khan’s attorney, Lance Lazzaro, said police have “overcharged the case without doing an investigation” and that his client would be vindicated when experts reconstructed the accident.

Lazzaro said the deceased, rather than his client, caused the accident.

“My client had the right of way and was going with the green light,” Lazzaro said.

Lazzaro also said his client was not intoxicated and that the result of the blood test had not come back yet.

“It’s our belief that she was not intoxicated in any manner,” he said.

The crash, which took place at the intersection of Grand and East Carl avenues, was reported in a 911 call, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to call Nassau Crime Stoppers at 516-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”