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Friday, December 28, 2019
Vol. 6, No. 52
JOHN OATES GOES GRANT FOR MANHASSET MANGANO CLAIMS BACK TO ROOTS VALLEY PARK TREES PROSECUTOR MISCONDUCT PAGE 19
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Conviction for race that killed Manhasset man Racer convicted of two felonies, three misdemeanors for fatal 2017 crash BY T E R I W EST A man was convicted last Wednesday of manslaughter for his involvement in a 2017 car race with a Manhasset man whose passenger, also from Manhasset, was ejected from the car and died, said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. Areefeen Hirji, 21, of Muttontown, was convicted of two felonies and three misdemeanors after a week-and-a-half-long trial. He faces up to 22 years in prison, according to the district attorney’s office. Jonnathan Santos, 22, of Manhasset, who raced Hirji, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs on Oct. 9. Santos is expected to receive a three- to nine-year prison sentence on Jan. 15. Hirji’s sentencing is Jan. 17. “Everything about this crash is a tragedy from the young life lost
to the young defendants convicted of their crimes,” Singas said. Santos and Hirji were racing eastbound on the Long Island Expressway Feb. 23, 2017, at approximately 11:48 p.m., according to the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors said the two cars, a 2015 BMW and a 2017 Honda Accord, crashed at Exit 44 when they were both traveling at more than 120 mph. The BMW, which Santos was driving, spun and hit a guardrail and pickup truck, according to the district attorney’s office. One passenger, Gianfranco Peralta, 19, was ejected and died at the scene. The two others were treated for minor injuries. Santos was arrested at the scene, prosecutors said, and Hirji fled. Hirji went to the 2nd Precinct two days later and said that he was not the driver, according to the district attorney’s office. On Feb. 25. Continued on Page 45
PHOTO BY TERI WEST
The Village of North Hills appointed Jacob N. Schwartz, left, as the new associate village justice and Jerry Reisman, as the new village justice last Wednesday.
North Hills appoints new justices, talks surveillance BY T E R I W EST The Village of North Hills Board of Trustees appointed a new village justice and associate village justice last Wednesday before discussing ways to
limit illicit nonresident use of the village park. Jerry Reisman, who was previously the associate village justice, is the new village justice. Replacing him as associate is practicing attorney
Jacob N. Schwartz. Sigmund Semon retired from his position of village justice on Nov. 30 after serving “15 and a half years with great distinction,” Mayor MarContinued on Page 45
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