Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini has announced the sentencing of a Bellport man to prison in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash in Middle Island on Feb. 9, 2019.

Nahriek Belford, 19, pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 to Assault in the First Degree, a B violent felony; two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a C felony; and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in the First Degree, a D felony. He was sentenced by Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho to eight years in prison with five years of post-release supervision.

“This defendant’s actions had devastating impacts on the victims’ families and the community at large,” District Attorney Sini said. “I thank Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter and our Vehicle Crimes Bureau for continuing to hold dangerous drivers accountable.”

At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2019, Belford, while driving a 2015 Nissan Rogue that had been reported stolen two days prior, was observed by a Suffolk County Police officer failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Yaphank Avenue and Main Street in Yaphank. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Belford fled from the police officer at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly through several residential neighborhoods in an attempt to evade the officer.

At approximately 11:50 p.m., as Belford was traveling westbound on Middle Country Road/Route 25 in Middle Island, he struck a 2009 Honda CRV that was attempting to make a left turn onto Birchwood Park Drive. Belford was driving at a speed of 106 mph immediately prior to the crash. The force of the impact caused the Honda to be cut in half.

The passengers in the Honda, Jerome Weingarten, 74, and his wife, Randee Weingarten, 71, of Middle Island, were both pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Belford’s brother, Angelo Belford, 19, of Bellport, who was a passenger in the Nissan, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Belford was represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case was prosecuted by Jacob DeLauter, of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.