A fatal crash on Long Island that claimed the lives of four members of a single family has sparked urgent calls for reform to New York’s drugged driving laws. The tragedy highlights a legal loophole that makes it difficult to hold impaired drivers accountable, leaving victims’ families frustrated and demanding change.
On August 6, 2023, a car driven by Michael DeAngelo slammed into a family vehicle and stopped at a red light on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa. The crash resulted in the deaths of 60-year-old Patrice Huntley, 10-year-old Jeremiah, 13-year-old Hannah, and 6-year-old Chantel, who succumbed to her injuries days later. Another family member sustained severe injuries but survived.
The victims’ mother, Tasheba Hamilton, recalls the devastation of identifying her loved ones. “I had to hold my son with his neck ripped open,” she said. The pain of the loss has only been compounded by the challenges prosecutors faced in bringing DeAngelo to justice.
New York law requires prosecutors to identify the specific drug impairing a driver before an arrest can be made. This provision stands in contrast to 46 other states, where impairment alone is sufficient for charges. Deputy Bureau Chief Katie Zizza from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office explained the obstacle: “We knew he was impaired—he had hypodermic needles and track marks—but the law demands we identify the drug.”
Adding to the difficulty, testing DeAngelo’s blood before an arrest could have rendered the evidence inadmissible in court. Prosecutors had to rely on video evidence of DeAngelo’s reckless driving to secure an alternate charge and obtain a warrant for a blood test. The test later revealed the presence of fentanyl and cocaine, allowing charges to be elevated to include drugged driving.
DeAngelo ultimately pleaded guilty and now faces a maximum sentence of 14 years. For Hamilton and her family, however, the punishment feels inadequate. “When you do the math, it doesn’t feel like justice,” Zizza said. “How many years per life? It’s heartbreaking.”
Hamilton and her supporters are now urging lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul to close the loophole. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has joined the call, urging New York to adopt laws that treat all forms of impairment equally, similar to drunk driving laws. Critics argue that the current requirement to name a specific drug delays justice and puts lives at risk.
Governor Hochul has yet to commit to reforming the law. Her office pointed to increased penalties for drug-related convictions as evidence of her administration’s commitment to public safety. However, Zizza dismissed these measures as irrelevant to the root issue, emphasizing the difficulty of securing convictions under the current law.
New York’s drugged driving statute is one of the most restrictive in the nation, requiring prosecutors to identify specific substances before charges can be filed. Advocates argue this places an undue burden on law enforcement and the legal system, making it harder to remove dangerous drivers from the roads. Closing the loophole would bring New York in line with the majority of states and could save lives.
As Hamilton faces her second Christmas without her children, the loss remains unbearable. “They’re gone forever,” she said. “I will never be OK.” Yet, she continues to push for change, hoping her family’s story will prevent others from experiencing similar heartbreak.
Governor Hochul’s upcoming State of the State address offers an opportunity to address this critical issue. Victims’ families, advocates, and legal experts are urging lawmakers to prioritize reform and close the loophole that has left so many without justice. For Hamilton and others who have suffered unimaginable loss, the time for action is now.