Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice has announced that a grand jury has returned an indictment of Sayed Khaled El-Waraky, 24, an Egyptian national attending college in Washington D.C. who had been arrested after running down four young local men in the parking lot of the Soundview Café. Mr. El-Waraky was indicted on four counts of assault in the first degree (including two counts citing a "depraved indifference to human life"), a Class B felony; two counts of assault in the second degree, a Class D felony; two counts of assault in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor; reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony; and driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor.

"This was a truly horrific assault and I look forward to holding this individual accountable for his actions," said District Attorney Rice. "We indicted this case immediately and are confident in our ability to hold Mr. El-Waraky responsible."

The charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours of June 18 after Mr. El-Waraky had been asked to leave the Soundview Café at the Glen Cove Golf Club for disruptive behavior. The district attorney's office stated that the defendant got into his 2005 Jaguar, made a U-turn in the parking lot, and intentionally drove the car into a group that had gathered outside the restaurant. The car struck and injured Sean Basdavanos, Matthew Granger, Salvatore Martinez and Matthew Hurwitz.

ADA Robert Hayden of the district attorney's Major Offense Bureau is handling the case. Mr. El-Waraky is being represented by John Lewis, Esq., of Farmingdale. The defendant's date for arraignment on the indictment has yet to be set. Mr. El-Waraky faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if found guilty on all charges.

The DA's office reminds the public that at this point in time, the charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.