New Hyde Park man pleads guilty to causing fatal crash

A New Hyde Park man pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated vehicular homicide after prosecutors said he drove drunk at nearly three times the legal limit, killing his front passenger and injuring three others in an East Farmingdale crash.

Steven Sharma, 24, was driving on a Route 109 exit ramp after a night of heavy drinking Sept. 19, 2021, when he lost control and crashed head-on into a concrete median on 110, according to Suffolk prosecutors.

The crash killed Brandon Nazirbage, 22, of New Hyde Park, who died at the scene after the 2018 BMW, at a speed of 76 mph on the 20 mph exit ramp, blew through a stop sign and crashed about 3:40 a.m. prosecutors said. The other three passengers were taken by ambulance to a hospital, including one man with broken bones in his legs.

Suffolk County police and prosecutors said a blood sample Sharma provided while he was being treated for injuries was returned with a blood-alcohol concentration of .22%. His blood also tested positive for THC, the psychedelic component in marijuana.

Sharma pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, two counts of assault and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

“Today Mr. Sharma took responsibility for his role in this tragic incident,” said his Garden City attorney Brian J. Griffin. “From the outset, he has shown sincere sorrow and remorse, which we are confident was confirmed by today’s plea.”

Sharma could face between four to 12 years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 31.

"When you drive drunk you not only endanger yourself, you also endanger the lives of others and that is what this defendant did,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement. “This defendant’s decision to drive while under the influence cost the life of one of his passengers and a lifetime of pain for all those involved.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.