Massapequa man charged with manslaughter, DWI after crash kills passenger, police say

A Massapequa man was charged with second-degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated after crashing into a pickup truck and fatally injuring his passenger, Nassau police said Tuesday.

Michael Bantel, 27, was driving east on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Tuesday at 4:45 a.m. when his 2005 Nissan Maxima crossed the center median, police said. He drove into oncoming cars and crashed head-on with a 2014 Ford F-150XLT truck driven by a 37-year-old woman, police said.

The 28-year-old man who was a passenger in Bentel's car died at a hospital from internal injuries.

The pickup truck driver was treated at hospital for lacerations, contusions, and head, knee and back pain, the police said.

Bantel, of 554 Central Ave., also was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and third-degree assault, police said.

He was admitted to a hospital; he will be arraigned there Wednesday, police said.