Driver in fatal crash faces new DWI charge

An East Hills man convicted in the 2002 drag racing deaths of a young couple was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday in connection with a new arrest for allegedly driving drunk, authorities said.

Kyle Soukup, 27, was stopped by police in Southampton Village, who said he was speeding along the 220 block of White Street in a black Ford Edge around 4 a.m. Friday, according to court records.

Soukup, who police say had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, failed a field sobriety test, records show. He refused to take a breath test, records show, after telling officers he'd had one glass of wine.

Police charged him with driving while under the influence, resisting arrest, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle without a court-ordered ignition lock, and marijuana possession.

The charges included in Wednesday's indictment will remain sealed until Soukup's arraignment Friday in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. His lawyer, Gerard McCloskey, said Soukup, who is being held without bail, will plead not guilty.

In the June 2002 case, in Muttontown, Soukup was drag-racing a Corvette against his friend, Blake Slade, at speeds approaching 140 mph when their cars slammed broadside into a Jeep carrying Sophia Bretous, 23, and her fiance, Jean Desir, 31, of Westbury, killing both.

Soukup and Slade were indicted on murder charges but pleaded guilty to lesser manslaughter charges and served 21/2 years in prison.