Patrick Poillon in First District Court in Central Islip on...

Patrick Poillon in First District Court in Central Islip on Monday. Credit: James Carbone

Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini unsealed a 12-count indictment on Monday, including counts of manslaughter against a Connecticut man accused of causing the death of a husband and wife in a crash Dec. 22 in Mastic Beach.

Patrick Poillon pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges, said his lawyer, Katherine Fernandez. "This is a tragic accident and two people are dead," she said. But "there are a lot of things the prosecution needs to examine, including the credibility of their witnesses as this case unfolds." She added, "there's no indication they have any evidence of intoxication."

Poillon, 24, of Darien, Connecticut, was driving a 2006 Ford Explorer at 68 mph on Huguenot Drive, which has a 30-mph  limit, and blew a stop sign before hitting the 2004 Subaru Legacy containing William Molnar, 50, and Jean Molnar, 41, both of Mastic Beach, Sini said in a news release from his office. The Molnars were pronounced dead at the scene. Poillon ran away from the 10:11 p.m. crash, Sini said, leaving his vehicle and a 22-year-old male passenger at the scene. That man was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital to be treated, he said.  

Police arrested Poillon on Dec. 23 on a single charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, a felony. Monday's indictment contains two counts each of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies. Poillon also faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and unlicensed operation of a vehicle, which are misdemeanors. Additionally, he was charged with speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign, which are traffic infractions.

Surveillance video shows Poillon holding a 25-ounce can of beer while driving, Sini said.

Poillon spent much of his life in Mastic Beach and was arrested at his father's house there, she said.

Poillon was arraigned Monday before acting Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho in Central Islip. Bail was set at $1 million cash or $5 million bond and his license was suspended, Sini said.

Poillon is due back in court on Feb. 4. If convicted, Poillon faces up to 15 years in prison, Sini said. 

The Molnars leave behind four children and two grandchildren, News12 reported Monday. "I'm devastated," Christina Fudenski, Jean Molnar's mother, told News 12. "I just don't know where we go from here."

Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez; Gary Licker

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Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez; Gary Licker

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.

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