(East Farmingdale, NY)- Suffolk County District Attorney’s office announced the indictment of a Shirley man for allegedly driving while intoxicated and killing a woman and injuring her three children in a motor vehicle crash. Officials say on September 25, 2020 at approximately 5:06 p.m., Chris D. Montpetit, was driving a 2018 Jeep Cherokee northbound on County Route 83 in Farmingville, when he struck the rear of a 2015 Honda Civic, which had become disabled in the right lane and had its hazard lights engaged.
The occupants of the Honda, Erika Bautista, 31, of Farmingville, and her three daughters were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious physical injuries.
The Suffolk DA’s office says that following the crash, Montpetit was arrested by Suffolk County Police officers and transported to the Sixth Precinct, where he refused to submit to a chemical test of his blood. The District Attorney’s Office secured a warrant for a chemical test of Montpetit’s blood that revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.28 percent.
Erika Bautista died from her injuries on Oct. 11, 2020.
Chris D. Montpetit, 36, is charged with two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a B felony; Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a C felony; four counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a C felony; Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a D felony; three counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a D felony; and three counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, an E felony. He is also charged with Aggravated DWI, two counts of DWI, and Reckless Driving, which are all unclassified misdemeanors.
If convicted of the top count, Montpetit faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.
Photo: (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
