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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Frank Labidi, a 24-year-old Farmingville man, was indicted on manslaughter and other charges for a high-speed crash in Hicksville that killed two 19-year-old passengers two months ago, according to prosecutors. On January 23 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Labidi was allegedly driving his 2018 BMW M5 westbound on West Old Country Road in Hicksville at a high rate of speed with two 19-year-old passengers in the vehicle.
Prosecutors say Labidi lost control of the vehicle, crossed over into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes, and crashed into a tree and a commercial building. The passenger side of the vehicle struck the tree at impact, killing both passengers instantly, and propelling the vehicle’s muffler through the window of an orthopedic practice, according to the investigation. The defendant was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
According to the vehicle’s crash data recorder, prosecutors say Labidi was driving 82 miles per hour with full acceleration and no braking three seconds before the crash. West Old Country Road has a 40-mile-per-hour speed limit, meaning Labidi was allegedly traveling more than double the posted limit. The data recorder also revealed that the vehicle’s stability control system was manually disabled, allegedly by the defendant, which overrides safety features built into the vehicle to protect passengers from accidental slides or drifts and can correct a skid. Amateur street racers commonly disable this security feature to allow drivers to more easily engage in a racing maneuver known as “drifting,” according to investigators.
Evidence uncovered during the investigation determined that Labidi is a racing enthusiast and had previously raced the BMW M5 involved in the crash at a raceway in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. According to the investigation, in 2024 and 2025, Labidi allegedly made $35,000 in modifications to the engine and transmission of his BMW M5 to enhance its performance and allow the vehicle to accelerate faster, handle more power and force, and produce higher horsepower capabilities.
Labidi was arrested on January 30 by detectives of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, one week after the fatal crash. He was arraigned before Judge Robert Bogle on grand jury indictment charges of two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, both Class C felonies, and two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, both Class D violent felonies. Labidi pleaded not guilty to all charges and bail was continued at $500,000 cash, $1.25 million bond, and $2.5 million partially secured bond.
“Two 19-year-old women are dead because this defendant allegedly chose to drive like he was on a racetrack instead of a public roadway,” said DA Donnelly in a statement. “Speeding and reckless maneuvering are not harmless thrills. They are deadly choices. And now, two families must grapple with the tragic and senseless loss of these young women. Our thoughts are with both families as we prosecute this defendant.”
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on West Old Country Road in Hicksville, a major east-west thoroughfare that runs through multiple Nassau County communities. This section of roadway connects residential areas with commercial districts and carries significant daily traffic volume. The crash site, where the vehicle struck both a tree and a commercial building housing an orthopedic practice, demonstrates the proximity of businesses to the roadway in this heavily developed area of Nassau County.
West Old Country Road’s 40-mile-per-hour speed limit reflects its status as a local arterial road rather than a highway, designed to accommodate both through traffic and local access to adjacent businesses and neighborhoods. The presence of oncoming traffic lanes separated by what appears to be minimal barriers allowed the out-of-control BMW to cross into opposing traffic before striking the tree.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad conducted the investigation, utilizing the vehicle’s crash data recorder to determine the precise circumstances leading to the fatal collision. The sophisticated data analysis revealed not only Labidi’s excessive speed and lack of braking, but also his deliberate disabling of the vehicle’s safety systems. Investigators also examined Labidi’s background as a racing enthusiast and documented his extensive modifications to the BMW M5.
The grand jury indictment on multiple felony charges reflects the severity of the case, with prosecutors treating each victim’s death as a separate manslaughter count. The high bail amount set by Judge Robert Bogle indicates the court’s assessment of both flight risk and the seriousness of the charges. Labidi is scheduled to return to court on April 28, 2026, for his next proceeding. If convicted on all charges, Labidi faces seven to 15 years in prison.