Brentwood man admits driving on drugs in crash that killed couple

A Brentwood man pleaded guilty Thursday to driving on drugs in a crash last year and killing a married couple.

Christian Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of manslaughter in the Oct. 2, 2021, crash that killed Rodolfo and Soraida Polanco of Brentwood. He also pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired by drugs and alcohol.

Lopez was driving a 2014 Acura heading east on Second Avenue in Brentwood when, police said, he crashed into the back of a 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Rodolfo Polanco. Prosecutors said Lopez was driving 67 mph during the crash while the speed limit was 30 mph.

The crash launched the Toyota into the opposite lane, where it was struck by a 2021 Jeep Wrangler heading west, killing the couple.

Prosecutors said Lopez admitted to drinking and he also took a potent amount of fentanyl. He told police he was “zoning out.” His blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.05%, which is below the legal limit, but he also tested positive for the opioid fluorofentanyl.

Lopez faces 5 to 15 years in prison. He was represented by Carrié Solages and is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 26.

“This defendant’s selfish and reckless actions caused the untimely death of a family. The defendant was impaired by both alcohol and fluorofentanyl when he slammed into the rear of the victims’ car at more than double the speed limit,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement.

Tierney added that such "outrageous conduct" has led his office to petition the State Legislature to increase sanctions for criminally negligent driving that kills innocent victims.