A Riverhead man was indicted for Aggravated Vehicular Assault and related charges stemming from a motor vehicle crash in Riverside on Nov. 29, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced today.
Erik Yat Velasquez, 22, was intoxicated and driving a 2015 Jeep at a high rate of speed northbound on Quogue-Riverhead Road when he crossed over the double yellow lines, sideswiped one vehicle, and then crashed head-on into a second car at about 7:46 p.m., injuring five people and himself, the district attorney said in a press release.
The two occupants of the first vehicle, as well as Yat Velasquez’s own passenger, were transported to a local hospital for treatment for their injuries, the press release said.The two occupants of the vehicle that was struck head-on were also transported to a local hospital where they were treated for serious physical injuries, according to the release. The driver of that vehicle sustained a fractured clavicle and punctured lung. The passenger sustained a fractured arm, internal bleeding, and a serious head injury, all of which required multiple surgeries, the release said. Currently, the passenger does not have vision in one eye, it said.
Yat Velasquez was also taken to a hospital for his own medical treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash, Tierney said..
The defendant was arraigned today before County Court Judge Bryan L. Browns on the following charges contained in the indictment:
Three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Class C felonies;
Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
Three counts of Vehicular Assault in the First Degree, Class D felonies;
Two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, Class E felonies;
Three counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Class A misdemeanors;
One count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified misdemeanor; and
Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, unclassified misdemeanors; and One count of Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor.
Judge Bryan Browns ordered Yat Velasquez placed on supervised release and suspended his license, according to the press release.
He is due back in court on March 3, 2026, and faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count, the D.A. said.
“The defendant’s alleged decision to drink and drive caused significant injuries to many people in this case,” Tierney said. “The charges brought forth in this indictment reflect the severity of the defendant’s actions and my office’s continued commitment to protect the public from reckless and dangerous drivers. Impaired or intoxicated driving will not be tolerated on our roadways.”
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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