Driver in teens’ deaths appears in court

No action taken with Amandeep Singh’s attending state Supreme Court hearing

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Amandeep Singh, the alleged drunk driver involved in an early May car crash that resulted in the deaths of two Roslyn teenagers, appeared in State Supreme Court again Tuesday morning. But no action was taken against the defendant who faces a 15-count indictment.

Roslyn resident Singh, 34, was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road at 95 mph with a blood alcohol count of 0.15 four hours after his arrest and cocaine in his system, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a press conference following his arraignment June 26. The speed limit posted in the area of the collision is 40 mph.

He faces a series of charges in the vehicular crash that ensued and killed young tennis star Drew Hassenbein, 14, and Ethan Falkowitz, 14. Two other teenagers on the Roslyn Boys Varsity Tennis team were in the car and injured.

Singh was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated vehicular homicide, assault, driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and a drug, reckless driving and a felony count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, authorities said.

He faces a maximum of 32 years in prison if found guilty.

Approximately 50 people gathered at the Nassau County Court House Tuesday morning for Singh’s appearance. The court room was comprised of an even split between Hassenbein and Falkowitz family members and fellow community members on the lefthand side and Singh’s family on the righthand side.

The court appearance, which began at 10:17 a.m., took a total of three minutes.

Assistant DA Michael Bushwack said during court that his office had delivered two additional discovery packets to the defense since Singh’s arraignment last month. Singh entered a not guilty plea at the arraignment.

The two discovery packets were delivered to Singh’s attorney James Kousouros on June 29 and July 11.

Bushwack said his office also filed a motion July 20 regarding non-testimonial evidence in the form of buccal swabs — or evidence swabbed from Singh’s mouth or cheeks.

The presiding Judge Helene Gugerty granted the defense until Aug. 8 to file an opposition to the swabs being submitted as evidence. The DA’s office then has until Aug. 15 to submit a reply. These are not appearance dates.

The court adjourned until Sept. 6 where the parties will appear in front of Judge David Gugerty again during a chamber’s conference. This will not be a court