WRONG WAY DRIVER SENTENCED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SECOND DEGREE

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) –  Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Noel Pastora, age 57, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 3 ½ to 10 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty in June to Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

“This defendant’s reckless operation of his car while intoxicated cost an innocent man his life. This type of behavior has to stop.” said Tierney. “I will continue to be a voice for the victims and their families by seeking justice in these cases.”

According to court documents, on June 27, 2021 at approximately 1:49 a.m., the defendant drove his 2000 Dodge pickup westbound in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway in Oakdale, while he was impaired under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol. He caused a head on collision with a 2010 Honda Insight driven by 74- year- old Dominick Capizola, killing him instantly. When police arrived on the scene they noticed that the defendant exhibited signs of intoxication. He consented to a chemical blood test which showed a .15 % blood alcohol content, in addition to the presence of cocaine in his system.

In addition to pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, the defendant also pled guilty to the following charges: Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree; Driving while Intoxicated; and Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Alcohol and Drugs.

Pastora was sentenced today before the Honorable Judge Richard Horowitz. He was represented by Adam Marku of the Legal Aid Society

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel Cronin, of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

William J. Lindsay County Complex • Building 77 • 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788

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