Suffolk Reporter

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of Felix Pantaleon, a 22-year-old from Lindenhurst, on charges including Manslaughter in the Second Degree. The charges stem from a September 2024 incident where Pantaleon allegedly drove at high speeds and crashed into another vehicle, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.

The incident occurred on September 22, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Pantaleon was reportedly driving his Honda Civic westbound on the Southern State Parkway in North Babylon at around 121 miles per hour. According to the investigation, he was weaving between lanes and using his cellphone to record himself during this time. He then allegedly collided with the rear of a Honda CRV.

The collision caused both vehicles to veer off the road. The CRV crashed into nearby woods, while the Civic hit a median barrier before also careening into the woods. Reynaldo Collado, aged 49 and driver of the CRV, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Collado's vehicle sustained serious injuries requiring rehabilitation treatment for fractured vertebrae and pelvis. Three other occupants were also injured and received medical attention.

Pantaleon faced arraignment on January 7, 2025, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. The charges include one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony), one count of Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D felony), three counts of Assault in the Third Degree (Class A misdemeanors), Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (a Class A misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (an Unclassified misdemeanor), as well as traffic infractions for speeding, failure to maintain lane, and use of portable electronic devices.

District Attorney Tierney stated: “We deserve safe roadways... My office will seek to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged deadly choices and the death of Mr. Collado.”