Driver pleads not guilty in NY crash that killed 4 young women

Authorities investigate the scene of a fatal crash between a limousine and sports utility vehicle Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Cutchogue, N.Y. Multiple visitors to New York wine country were killed Saturday and others were seriously injured in the crash on the eastern end of Long Island, law enforcement officials said. Authorities investigate the scene of a fatal crash between a limousine and sports utility vehicle Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Cutchogue, N.Y. Multiple visitors to New York wine country were killed Saturday and others were seriously injured in the crash on the eastern end of Long Island, law enforcement officials said.

By Associated Press July 20, 2015 2 min read

CUTCHOGUE, N.Y. – A driver whose pickup truck slammed into a limousine on Long Island, killing four young women, is being held on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty at his hospital arraignment.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley plan to discuss the case at a midday briefing on Monday.

Steven Romeo was arraigned on a misdemeanor DWI charge Sunday at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport.

His lawyer, Dan O’Brien, offered condolences and said his client had remained at the crash scene. “It’s a tough situation,” said O’Brien.

Flatley identified the dead as Brittany M. Schulman, 23, of Smithtown, on Long Island’s North Shore; Lauren Baruch, 24, also of Smithtown; Stephanie Belli, 23, of nearby Kings Park; and Amy R. Grabina, 23, of Commack, also on the North Shore.