A Lake Ronkonkoma man has been indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges after prosecutors said he drove onto a sidewalk while impaired by drugs, killing one construction worker and seriously injuring two others in Nesconset.
Thomas Lobianco, 26, was arraigned Wednesday, Sept. 9, on charges stemming from the Aug. 10 crash on Townline Road, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Prosecutors said Lobianco was driving a 1999 Toyota Camry east on Townline Road at about 6:43 a.m. when he initially stopped at a green light at Blydenburgh Road and did not proceed until a driver behind him honked.
He then allegedly continued east while drifting across the roadway. As he approached Terry Road, prosecutors said Lobianco drove through a steady red light at a high rate of speed, entered a turning lane, crossed the double yellow line into the westbound lane and drove onto the sidewalk without braking.
Surveillance video captured the car striking 38-year-old Joel Sican Porix and two other construction workers who were standing on the sidewalk wearing reflective safety vests, prosecutors said.
Sican Porix was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other two workers suffered serious leg injuries that required emergency surgery.
After hitting the workers, Lobianco allegedly continued along the sidewalk, striking a traffic device, utility pole and fence before the car stopped against a tree.
Police said Lobianco showed signs of impairment and arrested him. A switchblade knife was allegedly recovered from his vehicle, while cannabis, clonazepam and drug paraphernalia were found in his backpack.
Investigators also obtained surveillance video from a local 7-Eleven where Lobianco had worked an overnight shift shortly before the crash. Prosecutors said the footage showed him swaying, stumbling, nearly falling several times and appearing to nod in and out of consciousness during the shift.
Lobianco was indicted on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, first-degree vehicular assault, two counts each of second-degree assault and second-degree vehicular assault, and multiple driving while ability impaired by drugs charges.
He also faces charges of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving and several traffic violations.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns ordered Lobianco held on $7.5 million cash bail, $15 million bond or $30 million partially secured bond. His driver’s license was suspended while the case is pending.
Lobianco is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14. He faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
An indictment is an accusation. Lobianco is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
