Moriches teen gets 4 to 12 years in DWI crash that killed East Hampton teen

A Moriches teen was sentenced Wednesday to four to 12 years in prison for driving drunk and at more than twice the speed limit when he crashed a car in East Hampton last Father’s Day, killing a 19-year-old passenger who was intent on joining the U.S. Army.

Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo Fuertes, now 18, was sentenced by Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski after pleading guilty in February to 14 charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, in the death of Scarleth Samaniego-Urgiles of East Hampton.

“A young woman lost her life because of the selfish actions of the defendant,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement. “I hope that this prison sentence brings some small degree of solace to the victim’s family who are undoubtedly still grieving this senseless loss.”

Tierney explained that Barrionuevo Fuertes on June 15, drove a group of seven teenagers — ranging in age from 15 to 19 — to a local beach in East Hampton, where the group drank alcohol. Barrionuevo Fuertes then drove them away from the beach with six passengers crammed into the back seat, including a 15-year-old, the district attorney said.

At about 7:39 p.m., he came to a curve on Old Stone Highway while driving 74 mph in a posted 30-mph zone, authorities said. He crossed into the oncoming lane, narrowly missing another vehicle, then drove off the road and into a tree, causing the car to roll onto its passenger side.

Samaniego-Urgiles, seated in the rear, died at the scene. A second rear-seat passenger suffered a spinal fracture and severe lacerations to her hand that resulted in significant disfigurement.

The other passengers were hospitalized with less serious injuries.

Barrionuevo Fuertes’ blood alcohol concentration registered at .08% after he consented to a chemical test at the scene, where officers had observed signs of intoxication.

A graduate of East Hampton High School, Samaniego-Urgiles sought enlist in the Army and had spoken of one day buying a home for her mother, Gabriela Samaniego, and younger brother.

A GoFundMe launched by her family in the days after the crash raised close to $70,000 in donations to cover funeral expenses.

Barrionuevo Fuertes pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 before Justice Pilewski to charges that included aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, and endangering the welfare of a child.

_{Top: (at left) Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo Fuertes (SCDA) and Scarleth Samaniego-Urgiles (courtesy of GoFundMe).}