Hempstead man charged with drunken driving in crash that killed passenger, police say

A Hempstead man is being charged drunken driving and aggravated driving while intoxicated under Leandra's Law and could face more charges after a crash killed a 26-year-old passenger in the car, police said on Sunday. 

Donnell Hill, 50, was speeding in a 2018 Dodge Charger eastbound on Jerusalem Avenue near Ingraham Boulevard about 10:30 p.m. Saturday when he lost control, struck a curb and collided with a tree, causing the rear passenger to be ejected, according to police.

The passenger, Xavier Parris of Massapequa was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

Hill had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, blood shot eyes and slurred speech and was taken to the police department's Central Testing Section. The car was impounded, police said. 

Police said the investigation is ongoing and Hill could face more charges depending on his toxicology report. He was held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail at his arraignment Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Hill was charged with Leandra's Law, a felony, because a child under the age of 16 was also in the vehicle. Further details were not immediately available.

Anyone with information about the crash are being asked to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.