Aquebogue man sentenced in fatal Nassau County car crash
The Aquebogue man charged over two years ago with driving under the influence of crystal meth after he was involved in a double-fatal crash in Nassau County was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison on Monday, according to a press release issued by acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
Robert Beodeker, 52, took a plea deal admitting to aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of drugs, his attorney, Dana Grossblatt, said in April. She wasn’t immediately available Monday night for comment.
On March 4, 2013, Mr. Beodeker was driving his pickup around 12:40 p.m. on the Meadowbrook Parkway when he crashed into a disabled Nissan Maxima and two pedestrians who were tending to the car. The pedestrians, John Elder, 76, of Freeport and Edward Ross, 65, of North Bellmore died at the scene.
“This defendant’s disastrous decision to drive while high on crystal meth resulted in the tragic loss of two innocent lives, John Elder and Edward Ross,” Ms. Singas said in a statement. “Though no sentence can bring back his victims to their families,” Ms. Singas said in a statement, I hope this top-count conviction and sentence brings some solace to the loved ones of these blameless men, who were stopped in a safety zone. This case highlights how there is no ‘safety zone’ when a driver is impaired and that the victims of these drivers are both random and innocent.”
At the time of the crash, Mr. Beodeker was on his way to Suffolk County Community College where he worked as an associate dean of student services, Ms. Singas said.
Mr. Beodeker, who’s well-known in the North Fork community arts scene, originally pleaded not guilty as he faced charges of negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter and up to 25 years in prison.
