It happened on Stewart Avenue at Nassau Boulevard, authorities say
GARDEN CITY, NY, (February 09, 2025) - A drunk driver accused of killing his passenger after crashing a Nissan into a tree early Sunday morning in Garden City faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter, Nassau County police said.
Marco Antonio Zuniga, 27, was killed in a crash involving one vehicle driven by an allegedly intoxicated driver. The incident happened early Sunday morning in Garden City, police said.
The fatality victim—identified as 27-year-old Marco Antonio Zuniga—succumbed to injuries at a local hospital.
According to preliminary reports, a Nissan was traveling westbound on Stewart Avenue at Nassau Boulevard around 4:47 a.m. when its driver, a Long Beach resident, lost control and slammed into a tree. The 28-year-old man, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, fled the scene, failing to render aid to his passenger, Zuniga.
However, he was later arrested and was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead.
This is an active investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is always dangerous, not only for intoxicated drivers but for other people on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 28% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Marco Antonio Zuniga may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).