SEAFORD MAN INDICTED FOR VEHICULAR ASSAULT

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) –  Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of 27-year-old Tristan McLaughlin, who is accused of Vehicular Assault after he allegedly drove while impaired by drugs and crashed into the back of a stopped vehicle at such a high rate of speed that it caused the driver of the stopped vehicle traumatic spinal cord separation and paralysis.

“When you make the decision to get behind the wheel, you make the commitment to respect the lives and safety of others on the road,” said District Attorney Tierney.  This defendant’s alleged reckless behavior has caused irreversible damage to another person, and he will be prosecuted vigorously.”

According to court documents, on October 29, 2022, at approximately 8:33 p.m., the defendant was operating a 2020 Nissan Frontier northbound on Route 110, when he rear-ended another vehicle at the corner of Lindy Avenue in North Amityville. The victim was waiting at a red light when his vehicle was struck by McLaughlin’s vehicle and pushed through the intersection into oncoming traffic lanes.

The impact forced the victim’s vehicle to slam into two others that were stopped at a red light on the opposite side of the road.

The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for a spinal cord injury. He remains in the hospital, and has been diagnosed with paralysis of all four limbs.

McLaughlin is charged with:

• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony;
• One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
• One count of Driving While Ability Impaired, a Class U misdemeanor; and
• One count of Reckless Driving, a Class U misdemeanor.

McLaughlin exhibited signs of impairment by drugs and he was placed under arrest by the Suffolk County Police Department. A toxicology report revealed the presence of intoxicating substances.

On January 4, 2023, Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei ordered the defendant released on his own recognizance and suspended his license. The people recommended bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on February 7, 2023.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Emma Henry 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