Unlicensed Driver The Only Survivor
Three recent high school graduates and a South Ozone Park teenager were killed in a high-speed crash on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau County early on Monday morning, Oct. 8, allegedly caused by an unlicensed teenager from Richmond Hill who was behind the wheel, according to police.
Law enforcement sources said Joseph Beer, 17, of Richmond Hill was the only survivor in the accident that claimed the lives of four of his friends: South Ozone Park’s Neal Rajapa, 17, Christopher Khan, 18, and Peter Kanhai, 18, each of whom reportedly graduated from Richmond Hill High School in June; and Darian Ramnarine, 18, of Jamaica.
Beer remains hospitalized with injuries sustained in the one-car crash, which occurred at around 3:40 a.m. on the westbound Southern State Parkway near Exit 17N (Hempstead Avenue) in the village of Malverne.
According to information obtained by police, Beer-who was later found to have only a learner’s permit-was allegedly behind the wheel of a 2012 Subaru Imprezza traveling westbound on the parkway, with the four victims along for the ride.
Law enforcement sources said the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle near a curve in the roadway, causing it to swerve across two right lanes and off the parkway, smashing into several nearby trees.
The impact of the collision caused all five individuals to be ejected from the vehicle.
Members of the New York State Police Troop L and paramedics rushed to the scene. Upon examination, Kanhai, Khan, Rajapa and Ramnarine were pronounced dead at the location. Beer was transported to Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola for treatment of his injuries and is expected to recover.
Under state driving laws, individuals with learner’s permits may only operate a vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age and older.
Charges are pending the results of an ongoing investigation, it was noted.
