A routine school drop-off in Woodmere turned deadly, and now a 24-year-old East Rockaway man is facing manslaughter charges in a case prosecutors say involved extreme speed moments before impact.
Brayan Romero Flores pleaded not guilty this week after his May 28 arraignment on manslaughter and related charges stemming from a March 19 high-speed crash that ultimately killed 39-year-old father Michael Kreindler. Prosecutors say Kreindler had been driving his 10-year-old son to school when the collision occurred; he survived nearly three weeks on life support before dying on April 7.
Flores was arraigned on counts that include second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and reckless driving, prosecutors said, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He was remanded and is due back in court on June 4. Prosecutors say the manslaughter charge carries a potential prison term if he is convicted.
“This defendant’s actions shattered a family during a morning routine that many of us can relate to,” District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. The office said the crash happened at about 7:53 a.m. when Kreindler’s 2023 Tesla Model 3 tried to make a left turn onto Branch Boulevard and was struck by a 2019 Honda Accord driven by Flores.
What Investigators Say the Car’s Data Showed
Prosecutors say a search warrant on the Accord's event data recorder painted a stark picture of what led up to the crash. According to court filings, the vehicle was traveling 81 miles per hour one second before the collision and was at 99 percent acceleration five seconds earlier. Investigators also allege the driver hit the brakes only one second before impact.
Dash-camera footage recovered from the car reportedly shows the driver running a red light about five minutes before the crash while traveling roughly 77 mph, details reported by the Shore News Network. Taken together, prosecutors argue, the data and video point to a pattern of reckless driving that morning.
Crash Scene, Victim and Aftermath
Kreindler and his son were taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside by Hatzolah Ambulance, local reporting says. His son was treated and released with minor injuries, while Kreindler remained in critical condition until his death on April 7.
The collision occurred at or near the intersection of University Place and Branch Boulevard in Woodmere. Both vehicles suffered severe damage in the impact, according to Patch.
Charges, Court Calendar and Prosecution
Police arrested Flores on May 28 and he was arraigned before Judge Howard Sturim. The case is being handled by the Nassau County Vehicular Crimes Bureau, local outlets report.
Flores is represented by defense attorney Jenna Spelke and has pleaded not guilty. The next court appearance is scheduled for June 4, according to reporting from 5 Towns Central.
Legal Stakes Under New York Law
Under New York law, manslaughter in the second degree is a class C felony, and sentencing for a class C felony is capped at 15 years in state prison. The statute and sentencing framework are set out in state law and explained in legal references such as Nacmias Law and Justia.
