In Emotional Court Scenes, Amandeep Singh Gets 25 Years For DUI And Killing Teens

MINEOLA, NY – Amandeep Singh, an Indian American construction executive, was sentenced on February 7 to a maximum of 25 years in prison for a deadly wrong-way crash that killed two teenage tennis players in Long Island last year.

Singh, 36, admitted responsibility for the deaths of 14-year-olds Ethan Falkowitz and Drew Hassenbein, who were killed on May 3, 2023, when Singh, intoxicated and under the influence of cocaine, drove his pickup truck at 95 mph in a 40 mph zone, striking their car head-on. The teens had just finished celebrating a tennis tournament victory in Jericho, Nassau County.

“This was all my fault. Losing a child is the greatest grief. I have committed the great sin. If anyone should have died, it should have been me,” Singh said in court, marking his first public statement on the crash.

Despite his words of remorse, Singh remained largely emotionless as nine family members delivered victim impact statements, condemning his actions and expressing frustration with the sentencing.

Drew’s father, Mitch Hassenbein said, “What this man committed is beyond unthinkable, and he gets 25 years if we are lucky? He gave my son a death sentence, and all of us a life sentence.”

Drew’s 85-year-old grandfather raged at Singh, “Why didn’t you go home, you turkey? You’re a bad, bad guy. You’re now sorry after you killed two beautiful boys?”

The sentencing drew an overwhelming crowd of supporters for the victims, with two overflow courtrooms required to accommodate the community’s presence. Friends, neighbors, and classmates wept as they listened to the emotional statements.

Authorities said Singh was driving with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit and had both whiskey and tequila in his system, along with cocaine. Following the crash, police body camera footage showed him attempting to flee and hide behind a dumpster before lying to officers about his involvement.

Initially pleading not guilty to a 15-count indictment, including aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene, and impaired driving.

His defense attorney, Edward Sapone, said Singh was devastated over the tragedy. “He feels broken. He feels horrible,” Sapone said.

Singh’s cousin, Nat Preet Singh, also spoke about the family’s remorse. “The family does have a lot of regret. As you heard from Amandeep, this is something that can’t be undone,” he told CBS News.