BROOKLYN MAN INDICTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN HIGH SPEED CRASH THAT KILLED 9-YEAR-OLD

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Travis Dickson, 28, who is accused of driving at an extremely high rate of speed while drunk and high, causing the crash that ultimately killed a 9-year-old boy in the back seat of his father’s car.

“Another young life was cut short because of poor judgment by this reckless driver,” said District Attorney Tierney. “A nine-year-old child will never have the chance to experience life and his father is now left with the mental and physical pain of the fatal day that has forever changed his life.”

According to court documents, on August 22, 2022 at approximately 1:49 a.m., the defendant, whose license was previously revoked, drove a 2018 BMW 540i while he was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol and impaired by marijuana. The defendant was allegedly driving 119 miles per hour westbound on the Long Island Expressway and did not use his brakes before he struck the back of a 2019 Toyota Corolla, driven by the victim’s father. The impact of the BMW crushed the back of the Toyota where the 9-year-old boy was restrained in his booster seat.

The child was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. The victim’s father was also taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
On August 24, 2022, the child passed away from injuries sustained in the accident. A quantity of marijuana was also recovered from Dickson’s person.

Dickson is charged with:

• One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
• One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, a Class U misdemeanor;
• One count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, a Class U misdemeanor;
• One count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Alcohol and a Drug or Drugs, a Class U misdemeanor;
• One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
• One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
• One count of Reckless Driving, a Class U Misdemeanor; and
• One count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, a Class U misdemeanor.

On November 16, 2022, the Honorable Judge Richard I. Horowitz ordered Dickson held on $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond or $1,000,000 partially secured bond and suspended his license. He is due back in court on December 14, 2022 and he is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Maggie Bopp of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.

###

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

725 Veterans Memorial Highway ● Building 77 ● Hauppauge, NY 11788 ● 631.852.3185

SuffolkCountyNY.gov/DA ● twitter.com/RayTierneyDA ● instagram.com/RayTierneyDA