Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 24-year-old Lindenhurst man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to multiple felony charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, in connection with a high-speed, drunken crash in Freeport that killed 55-year-old Queens resident Craig White as he drove home from work on September 3, according to Nassau County’s district attorney’s office. Bryan Mizhirumbay was also charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving at his arraignment before Judge Caryn Fink.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 11 p.m. at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Long Beach Road in Freeport, prosecutors said. White had just finished his shift at AHRC Nassau, where he worked as a direct support professional caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, and was driving north on South Long Beach Road when Mizhirumbay, traveling eastbound on Atlantic Avenue, allegedly sped through a red light at approximately 90 mph, Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.
Investigators determined that Mizhirumbay was driving 106 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone moments before the crash and struck White’s vehicle at 90 miles per hour, according to the district attorney’s office. The devastating impact sent both vehicles careening across the intersection, with White’s car crashing through a fence at Atlantic Nursery while Mizhirumbay’s vehicle came to rest on the westbound shoulder of Atlantic Avenue and became engulfed in flames.
White was found unconscious and trapped inside his vehicle, which had been pushed inward from the tremendous force of the collision, prosecutors said. He was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mizhirumbay was treated at Nassau University Medical Center for his injuries sustained in the crash.
Blood drawn from Mizhirumbay approximately one hour after the crash revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .18 percent, more than twice New York’s legal limit of .08 percent, the district attorney said. This evidence forms a key component of the prosecution’s case against the defendant in the vehicular homicide charges.
Judge Fink set bail at $100,000 cash, $350,000 bond, or a $1.5 million partially secured bond during Wednesday’s arraignment. The court also ordered electronic monitoring for Mizhirumbay, surrender of all passports, and a license suspension. If convicted on all charges, Mizhirumbay faces between 8⅓ to 25 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
District Attorney Donnelly paid tribute to White’s dedication to his work and community impact. “Craig was a dedicated member of the AHRC staff, supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities serviced by the organization with kindness and compassion,” Donnelly said in a statement. “His loss at the hands of an alleged drunk driver devastated the community.”
Following White’s death, colleagues shared heartfelt tributes describing him as a steady and deeply caring presence who often took extra shifts and built close bonds with the people he supported. In a video dedication posted on social media, coworkers said White was known for his patience, his willingness to sit and work through puzzles and daily tasks, and for treating everyone in his care with dignity and warmth.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Long Beach Road in Freeport, a busy crossing that connects major east-west and north-south traffic corridors in Nassau County. Atlantic Avenue serves as a primary east-west arterial road through multiple Long Island communities, while South Long Beach Road provides a direct north-south route connecting Freeport to neighboring areas.
The intersection where the crash occurred sits near commercial areas, including Atlantic Nursery, whose fence was damaged when White’s vehicle crashed through it following the impact. The 35-mile-per-hour speed limit on this stretch of Atlantic Avenue reflects the mixed commercial and residential nature of the surrounding area.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Mizhirumbay surrendered to the Nassau Police’s Homicide Squad on Tuesday, one day before his arraignment on the multiple felony charges. The investigation involved blood alcohol testing conducted approximately one hour after the crash, which provided crucial evidence for the prosecution’s DWI-related charges.
The case is scheduled to continue with Mizhirumbay’s next court appearance set for February 26. The comprehensive charges filed against him include the most serious vehicular homicide charge available under New York law, reflecting prosecutors’ assertion that his alleged actions demonstrated a depraved indifference to human life.
Broader Impact
The case highlights the severe legal consequences facing drivers charged with vehicular homicide while intoxicated in New York, where the top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. White’s death also represents a significant loss to Long Island’s disability services community, where direct support professionals like him provide essential care and advocacy for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents.