A driver who fled to Poland while facing charges in a 2022 Cutchogue DWI crash that killed a Massapequa woman pleaded guilty Wednesday and is expected to receive five to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.
Adam Chrzanowski, 45, a Polish national, pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the four-car crash that ultimately killed 60-year-old Elizabeth Post, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Prosecutors said Chrzanowski was driving a 2021 Toyota RAV4 eastbound on Route 25 in Cutchogue at about 6:04 p.m. on March 6, 2022, when he crossed the double yellow lines to pass a vehicle in front of him.
After seeing an oncoming 2019 Nissan Rogue, Chrzanowski swerved back into his lane, struck the vehicle ahead of him and caused a chain-reaction collision, prosecutors said. He then swerved again and crashed head-on into the Nissan, in which Post was the front passenger.
The driver of the Nissan suffered multiple fractures to his spine, clavicle, sternum, ribs and leg. Post suffered severe internal injuries and fractures and underwent several surgeries.
She died from her injuries six months later, on Sept. 12, 2022.
Chrzanowski was arrested after the crash and refused a chemical breath test, prosecutors said. A blood sample was later taken at a hospital and showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.28%, more than three times the legal limit.
While the criminal case was still pending, Chrzanowski boarded a flight from JFK Airport to his native Poland on March 10, 2024, prosecutors said. A bench warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court.
Chrzanowski was extradited to Suffolk County in March 2026 with assistance from federal and Polish authorities.
“Today, this defendant admitted guilt in causing the death of Elizabeth Post and then fleeing to Poland in an attempt to evade justice,” Tierney said.
Chrzanowski pleaded guilty before Suffolk County Court Judge Bryan Browns to three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated and one count of reckless driving.
He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 16 and is expected to be sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ray Varuolo and Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau and Grazia DiVincenzo of the Appeals and Training Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Southold Police Detective Roman Wilinski.
Photo: SCDA
