A New York man who admitted to causing a fatal wrong-way crash while under the influence of alcohol and drugs has been sentenced to eight-and-a-third to 25 years in prison. The crash claimed the lives of two teenage tennis players who were on their way home from a team celebration.
The driver, Amandeep Singh, 36, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. His actions led to the deaths of 14-year-olds Ethan Falkowitz and Drew Hassenbein. Heartbroken family members spoke in court, expressing their grief and outrage over the tragic loss.
“Instead of picking up my son at school, I had to pick him up at the morgue,” said one grieving father. “Instead of watching him use his tennis racket like a magic wand, I had to bury it with him.” Another father spoke about how nothing in life prepares a parent for losing a child, calling his son “every parent’s dream.”
The crash occurred on May 3, 2023, in Jericho, Long Island. Singh had spent the night drinking tequila and scotch at bars and using cocaine before getting behind the wheel of his Dodge Ram pickup truck. He drove south in the northbound lanes of North Broadway at high speeds, crashing into a 2019 Alfa Romeo carrying the two boys and two other teammates. Ethan and Drew were killed instantly, while the other two boys were hospitalized and later recovered. A second vehicle was also struck, injuring two more individuals who were treated at the scene.
Following the crash, Singh attempted to flee but was later found hiding near a dumpster in a nearby parking lot. When confronted by police officers, body camera footage captured him responding dismissively, saying, “So what if I drink and drive … maybe I did.” His blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.18, more than twice the legal limit.
Ethan and Drew had been returning home from a celebratory dinner with their high school tennis team. Drew, a nationally ranked player, had won his match earlier that day. Their coach described them as inseparable best friends who had been passionate about tennis since the age of five.
To honor their memories, their families have established foundations in their names. The Drew Hassenbein Foundation aims to introduce underprivileged children to tennis through lessons and scholarships while supporting young athletes. Similarly, The Ethan Falkowitz Foundation was created to continue his legacy of kindness and optimism.
In a statement, Ethan’s family shared their heartbreak, emphasizing his positivity and generosity. “He didn’t want to believe there was ‘bad’ in the world. His outlook was filled with optimism and curiosity,” they wrote. “It is now our life’s mission to ensure Ethan’s legacy is remembered not by his tragic death, but by his endless love for others.”
The sentencing brought some closure to the grieving families, but the pain of their loss remains. One father described the outcome as a “death sentence” for his son and a “life sentence” for those left behind. Singh, in court, expressed remorse, saying, “This was all my fault. Losing a child is the greatest grief. If anyone should have died, it should have been me.”
The tragedy underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving, leaving behind shattered families and a community mourning the loss of two young lives full of promise.
