A Queens man has been indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges in a Southern State Parkway crash that killed one passenger and seriously injured two others during a December 2025 snowstorm.
Deodat Ramotar, 35, was allegedly driving a 2012 Hyundai Sonata westbound through Elmont at about 4 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2025, after drinking at a family party, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Ramotar was carrying four passengers, including 58-year-old Ramash Boodnie, as he approached the exit for the Belt Parkway.
Ramotar allegedly began swerving at a high rate of speed before losing control in the snow, spinning out and striking a tree on the north shoulder of the parkway.
All three passengers seated in the back were ejected from the car, prosecutors said.
Boodnie was killed. The other two backseat passengers suffered severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, fractured skull, shattered hip and pelvis, and multiple internal injuries.
Ramotar and the passenger seated in the front were not injured.
A blood sample taken approximately two hours after the crash allegedly showed Ramotar had a blood alcohol concentration of .09%, above New York’s legal limit of .08%.
New York State Police arrested Ramotar on the day of the crash.
Ramotar was arraigned July 21 before Judge Joseph Girardi on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, second-degree assault, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded. If convicted of the top charge, he faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
“What started as a fun gathering with loved ones ended in tragedy because of this defendant’s alleged actions,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.
Ramotar is scheduled to return to court Sept. 2.
The charges are accusations. Ramotar is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
