Extradited Polish national pleads guilty to fatal 2022 Cutchogue crash: Suffolk DA

A Polish national extradited to Suffolk County in March pleaded guilty on Wednesday to alleged aggravated vehicular homicide and other related charges for driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal four-car crash in Cutchogue in 2022. 

Adam Chrzanowski, 45, formerly of Riverhead and a native of Poland, was arrested in March 2022 in connection with the head-on Cutchogue crash that killed passenger Elizabeth Post, 60, of Massapequa. Mr. Chrzanowski fled the country in March 2024 after he was indicted.

In addition to aggravated vehicular homicide, the defendant pleaded guilty before Suffolk County Court Judge Bryan Browns on charges including manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, assault, driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. He was first arraigned on Dec. 21, 2022. 

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said in a news release Mr. Chrzanowski faces a five- to 15-year prison sentence. 

“Today, this defendant admitted guilt in causing the death of Elizabeth Post and then fleeing to Poland in an attempt to evade justice,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Thanks to our strong partnership with our federal and international law enforcement partners, the defendant was located, extradited and held accountable. This was a tragic and preventable loss of life caused by reckless, impaired driving. Our thoughts are with the victims during this difficult time.”

An investigation found that on March 6, 2022, at approximately 6:04 p.m., Mr. Chrzanowski was driving a 2021 Toyota RAV4 eastbound on Route 25 in Cutchogue when he allegedly crossed over the double yellow lines attempting to pass another vehicle and then crashed head-on with a 2019 Nissan Rogue traveling in the westbound lanes. Ms. Post was in the front passenger seat.

Two other vehicles went off the roadway and spun out of control after the collision, according to previous reports. 

The driver of the Nissan Rogue suffered multiple fractures to his spine, clavicle, sternum, ribs and leg, according to the DA’s press release. Ms. Post underwent several surgeries for severe internal injuries and fractures and died from her injuries on Sept. 12, 2022.

While his case was pending, Mr. Chrzanowski allegedly boarded a plane at JFK Airport on March 10, 2024, and flew to Poland to avoid prosecution, according to the DA’s office. A bench warrant was issued March 25, 2024, after he failed to appear on the indictment.

Mr. Chrzanowski was later indicted for bail jumping. With the assistance of federal and Polish authorities, he was returned to the United States. 

Mr. Chrzanowski is due back in court on Dec. 16 for an expected sentencing with his defense attorney Christopher Gioe. Back in March, the Suffolk DA previously determined he would face an eight and a third to 25 years in prison if convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide, and two and a third to seven years if convicted of bail jumping.