Long Island Man Pleads Not Guilty To Charges In Fatal Crash

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Suffolk County man charged with DWI after a fatal crash pleaded not guilty Thursday.

A grand jury indicted Stephan Harbison, 27, of Coram last week.

Harbison is facing a series of charges including vehicular manslaughter in connection with the January crash.

One passenger was killed and another suffered a traumatic brain injury when Harbison slammed his car into a tree on Straight Path in Deer Park on Jan. 26, prosecutors said.

"My nephew is innocent. Everything that happened there was a tragedy," Harbison's aunt told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "He didn't mean anything. I'm sorry for the family that is suffering, I just want this all to work out for everybody."

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Harbison's blood-alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit, police said.

Prosecutors also said Harbison gave a fake name and lied about being behind the wheel.

Harbison has prior convictions for driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle, and burglary.

The judge held Harbison on $400,000 bail.