Teen driver hires attorney; services held for 2 victims

The teen behind the wheel of the car that crashed in Lakeview this week, killing his four passengers, retained an attorney Wednesday as funeral services were held for two of the victims.

Criminal attorney Todd Greenberg, of Forest Hills, Queens, confirmed that he now represents 17-year-old Joseph Beer.

"I have no comment at this time out of respect for the four young men and their families," Greenberg said.

While authorities continued their investigation into what caused the crash on the Southern State Parkway early Monday, families and friends attended services for Darian Ramnarine and Christopher Khan, both 18 and of South Ozone Park, Queens.

All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene after investigators said Beer lost control of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, slamming into several trees before the car split in two.

Peter Kanhai, 18, of South Ozone Park, and Neal Rajapa, 17, of Jamaica, were also killed. All five were thrown from the vehicle.

Beer, of Richmond Hill, Queens, was treated for injuries and discharged from Winthrop-University Hospital Tuesday night, a hospital spokesman confirmed.

At a news conference Wednesday on another issue, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Beer's blood is being tested for alcohol and drugs, but results could take up to two weeks.

Rice said her office has been in touch with Subaru officials to see if they can extract information from Beer's car that can help determine his speed when he crashed.

Investigators are also working with accident reconstruction experts to determine a possible cause for the crash.

"I am well aware that there is a great deal of speculation about the cause of this tragedy," Rice said, adding that she could not comment further until more evidence is gathered.

Khan and Ramnarine's services were held at Bergen Funeral Services, on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park.

Khan, who is Muslim, was remembered in an Islamic ceremony before his body was taken to Washington Memorial Cemetery for a burial.

Ramnarine, who is Hindu, will be cremated.

Khan's service drew an overflow crowd of mourners. Afterward, his father drove to the cemetery to bury his son. His mother, overcome, fainted in a chair and was tended to by family members.

With Igor Kossov