Funeral Services Set For Man Killed In Crash

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Services have been set for a man killed in a deadly crash where the other driver, charged with driving while intoxicated, was set free without bail.

Jonathan Armand Flores-Maldonado, 27, was born on April 27, 1992 and died on Sunday in the Shirley crash, an obituary on the Scott-Rothwell Funeral Home page said.

A private visitation will take place on Friday, January 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for family and close friends. There will also be a public visitation on Friday, January 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Scott-Rothwell Funeral Home, located at 20 Ponquogue Ave. in Hampton Bays. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 18 at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Hampton Bays.

"Jonathan was a one-of-a-kind man," his obituary said. "Always looking out for everyone, so kind, funny, wise beyond his years; he was everyone’s rock. So full of life and love — nobody lit up the room quite like Jonathan. There wasn’t a single bad thing anyone could ever say about him. He spread love and joy, but also shared this blunt honesty with others where we knew he truly was looking out for us, making sure we were all doing the things we needed to do to better ourselves, even when we didn’t want to hear it.

"At 27 years old, our sweet, gentle giant has now passed, taken from us much too soon on a fateful Sunday morning, at 4 a.m. He was driving for Uber, taking advantage of the weekend crowd, making sure those out drinking and having fun were secured a safe ride home," the obituary said. "We knew he was taking extra shifts to save up for Valentine’s Day; we believe he was saving up for a ring for the love of his life, Rebecca Carr. The two of them were living in Buffalo, waiting for Rebecca to finish her last year of school so they could really begin to start their life together in New York City. Jonathan himself, just finished his bachelor’s degree in biology at the SUNY Buffalo last May, hoping to start a career in medicine.

"Jonathan’s heart was too big for this world. He always has been, and always will be, our guardian angel," the obituary said

"Jonathan was one of the kindest people you could have ever met," a GoFundMe fundraiser for Flores-Maldonado said. "His heart was pure and he was a loving brother, son, boyfriend, cousin and friend."

The fundraiser was created by Dylan Page. Funds raised will be used to help pay for expenses and funeral costs, the page said.

"We truly appreciate all of your support during the worst time of our lives," Jonathan’s family wrote.

The Bellport man charged with driving while intoxicated after a crash early Sunday morning in Shirley that left Flores-Maldonado dead was free without bail, released on his own recognizance on Monday, according to online court documents.

According to Suffolk County Police, the crash took place at 4 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lane of William Floyd Parkway, just south of Rose Executive Boulevard. Jordan Randolph, 40, was driving a 2014 Cadillac northbound on William Floyd Parkway when his vehicle rear-ended a 2015 Ford just south of Rose Executive Boulevard; the driver of the Ford, police said. Flores-Maldonado was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

According to a report by News 12, prosecutors said in court that Randolph was arrested and released on Jan. 1 for allegedly not having a court-ordered ignition interlock device in his car; he also, according to court docs, has a history of DWI with six felony convictions, and six misdemeanor convictions, the post said.

Randolph was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

Relatives of Flores-Maldonado expressed their grief and outrage on social media: Victor Maldonado wrote: "My son was 27 years young. A good man, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend."

His brother also spoke out. "They say when tragedy strikes to stay strong for the family. I feel broken and weak. I feel overwhelming anger and sadness," said Mateo Mangusto Maldonado on Facebook. "He was 27 years old with so much more life to live. My selfless sweet little brother. I've never felt so hopeless. Nothing I say, do, or write will fill the void that's been created in my heart. I love you, Jonathan."