Man Pleads Not Guilty in E. Farmingdale Crash

A Bay Shore man charged with driving while intoxicated in an E. Farmingdale crash that killed his wife last month pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

According to Suffolk County Police, 57-year-old Jeffrey Hirsch struck the rear of Ronald Giovelli's car on Wellwood Avenue on Jan. 24, severely injuring his wife Pauline and the passengers of the other car.

The East Farmingdale Fire Department Rescue transported Pauline to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bethpage and later to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where she was in critical condition in the ICU before succombing to her injuries.

Giovelli, 40, of Deer Park, and his passenger were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and were released that night. 

Jeffrey Hirsch is charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Spencer said Hirsch had a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 percent on the night of the crash and Suffolk County Court Judge Martin Efman ordered Hirsch held on bail of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

Hirsch will return to court March 14.