Tasabbir Hossain, of Ronkonkoma, charged in Sunrise Highway DWI crash that seriously injured another driver, DA says

A Ronkonkoma man who authorities said drove his Mercedes west in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway, crashing head-on into another driver just before 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day, was arraigned Tuesday on a grand jury indictment.

Tasabbir Hossain, 32, was charged with aggravated vehicular assault, reckless driving, drunken driving and other crimes, according to court records.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said in a statement that he was "allegedly driving [while] nearly three times the legal limit" for alcohol intoxication when he caused the crash in Massapequa, critically injuring himself and the other driver.

"This defendant was allegedly so intoxicated when he left a party after ringing in the new year," Donnelly said in a prepared statement, "that he drove into oncoming traffic on Sunrise Highway."

Court records show Hossain appeared before Judge Helene Gugerty and pleaded not guilty to aggravated vehicular assault, first-degree vehicular assault, second-degree vehicular assault, second-degree assault, aggravated driving while intoxicated per se, driving while intoxicated per se, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. 

Court records show Hossain posted bail, which had been set at $250,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond or $1.25 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on April 20.

"Mr. Hossain pleaded not guilty and looks forward to his defense in this case," his attorney Gerard McCloskey said.

According to prosecutors, blood drawn at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow showed Hossain had a blood alcohol content of 0.23% at about 30 minutes after the crash. The level for intoxication in New York State is 0.08%.

Authorities said that after leaving a New Year’s Eve party Hossain drove his 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG west in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway in Massapequa, crashing it head-on into a 2015 Acura driven by a 30-year-old man — the collision occurring at 1:55 a.m. near Louden Avenue.

The driver of the Acura, whose name was not released, was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip with what the district attorney’s office described as "serious physical injuries" — including a fractured arm, fractured knee and fractured ankle.

The district attorney’s office said the victim needs to use a wheelchair.

In her statement Tuesday, Donnelly said of Hossain: "His reckless choice to drink and drive created an incredibly dangerous situation for his fellow drivers, and ultimately, put an innocent 30-year-old man in the hospital after Hossain crashed head on into the victim’s vehicle," 

"That man suffered extensive injuries requiring multiple surgeries. ... It is unclear when he will regain the ability to walk. There is no excuse for driving home drunk from a party. Plan ahead, call a cab, or travel with a designated driver."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.