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2TONE_93GT · 10-05-2005, 08:26 AM

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Cops: Drag racer hit car, killing passenger

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Photo
Merqui Avila
Merqui Avila (Newsday Photo by Audrey C. Tiernan)

Carlos Molina
Carlos Molina (Newsday Photo by Audrey C.Tiernan)

Crash scene
Crash scene (Photo by James Carbone)

BY ZACHARY R. DOWDY AND SAMUEL BRUCHEY
STAFF WRITERS

October 5, 2005

Two cars racing up Brush Hollow Road slammed broadside into another car in Westbury, killing a woman and injuring three other people, Nassau detectives said yesterday.

Vinette Singleton, 75, of Westbury, was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Syosset after the 9 p.m. crash Monday. Doctors pronounced her dead at 11:35 p.m.

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Two men who were driving the cars that police said were racing were arrested and arraigned yesterday on second-degree manslaughter charges in First District Court in Hempstead. Each was held on $50,000 bail.

"The cars were engaged in an unlawful unauthorized speed contest," Det. Lt. Dennis Farrell, commander of the Homicide Squad, said at a news conference at police headquarters in Mineola yesterday.

Farrell said Herbert Singleton, 78, of Westbury, the driver of the 1986 Ford Thunderbird that was struck, and passengers Hermin Hill and Alice Gordone, both of Ontario, Canada, were admitted to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

Hill and Gordone were listed in critical condition last night, said a hospital spokeswoman. No information was available on Herbert Singleton.

Their relatives declined to comment yesterday.

Merqui Avila, 22, of 173 Pearl St. in Westbury and Carlos Molina, 23, of 162 New York Ave., New Cassel, were charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Molina's attorney could not be reached for comment. Avila's attorney, Lou Agresta of Mineola, said he had been retained only late yesterday and had not yet spoken with his client.

Agresta said he has previously represented Avila, who immigrated from El Salvador seven years ago. Agresta said Avila, a landscaper, is a "really good guy."

"He is not some street person," Agresta said. "He has come here to do hard work and survive."

Farrell said the crash occurred as Herbert Singleton drove the Thunderbird north along Brush Hollow Road and tried to make a left turn onto Parkwood Road at 9:05 p.m.

But Avila's 1994 Acura Integra was traveling south at a high speed, Farrell said, adding that Molina's 1998 Honda Civic was racing alongside Avila's vehicle. It's too early to determine how fast the cars were going, Farrell said.

Avila's vehicle struck Singleton's car, Farrell said, adding that Avila and Molina were likely driving far too fast to notice Singleton's car.

"The Acura plowed into the passenger side of Mr. Singleton's car, causing horrific injuries," Farrell said.

Avila was taken to Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Molina avoided the collision and drove away from the scene, Farrell said. Police arrested him hours later in Roslyn Heights at a bagel shop.

The two men may face additional or upgraded charges, Farrell said. They are due back in court tomorrow.

At least two other people have been killed in drag racing events in Nassau and Queens this year.

On July 31, an Elmont woman was killed when her car caught fire after being struck by a man police said was drag racing on Hempstead Turnpike.

And on July 19, a Rockaway Park man, Carlos Feria, 22, was killed in a crash in Rockaway Beach as he raced another motorist, police said. In that incident, five others were hurt.