A 21-year-old Medford man has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and crashing into a parked car, killing a 44-year-old Holtsville man who was sitting inside, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Read previous coverage of this story here.
Noah Slusser is accused of speeding along Wilson Avenue in Middle Island shortly after midnight on Aug. 27, 2026, when his 2017 Ford Taurus veered into a marked shoulder lane and struck a parked 2025 Toyota Crown near Adams Lane.
James Baldassarri, 44, of Holtsville, was seated inside the Toyota and suffered a severe brain injury in the collision, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Baldassarri was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He died the following day.
Prosecutors said Slusser was driving at a high rate of speed while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs when the crash occurred at approximately 12:06 a.m.
Responding officers allegedly observed signs of intoxication and arrested Slusser at the scene.
“Drunk and drugged drivers kill too many Suffolk citizens when they could simply call a ride share,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.
Slusser was arraigned Oct. 14 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas on charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, two counts of driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired by drugs, driving while impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, and reckless driving.
Goglas ordered Slusser held on $250,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond or $1.5 million partially secured bond. His driver’s license was also suspended.
Slusser faces five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top charge. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 17.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Geller of the Vehicular Crime Bureau. Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad Detective Alicia Ditta conducted the investigation.
Slusser is represented by attorney Joseph Cozzo. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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