Drunken driver pleads guilty in slaying

A Holbrook man pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing one man and seriously injuring another when he drove while drunk into the back of their stopped car in Ronkonkoma in December.

Robert Watson, 24, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault and aggravated driving while intoxicated. In return for the plea, State Supreme Court Justice Mark Cohen promised to sentence Watson to 4 to 12 years in prison on Sept. 9.

The crash on Veterans Highway killed Kevin Mead the day before his 27th birthday as he and his girlfriend, Stephanie Collins, were being dropped off at Long Island MacArthur Airport to go to Disney World in Florida. Stephanie Collins' parents watched as Watson admitted what he did.

"You can't bring him back," said her father, Alan Collins, who was driving that day and suffered injuries to his legs, kidneys and ribs. "My daughter's life will never be the same."

During questioning by Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Patricia Brosco, Watson said he'd been drinking beer at a Smithtown bar before going on to drink vodka at the home of a friend, whose name he couldn't recall. He said he hit Collins' Mazda and fled. He was arrested almost two hours later, hiding behind a telephone pole.

More than three hours after the crash, his blood-alcohol level was .21 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent.

Watson asked to read a note of apology in court, but Cohen said that would be more appropriate when he is sentenced.

"This client, from day one, his concern has been for the other family," said defense attorney Craig McElwee of North Babylon. "He has said he is disgusted with himself."