Grand jury indictment in double-fatal crash
The Aquebogue man involved in a fatal car crash that killed two men in Nassau County last month was arraigned on a grand jury indictment for aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, and other felony charges Thursday morning, prosecutors said.
Robert Beodeker, 50, who is also well-known in the North Fork’s performing arts community, was driving south on the Meadowbrook Parkway about 12:40 p.m. on March 4 when he hit a disabled Nissan Maxima and two pedestrians who were tending to the sedan in the road’s shoulder, police have said.
The two victims, John Elder, 76, of Freeport and Edward Ross, 65, of North Bellmore died at the scene.
Mr. Beodeker — an associate dean of student services at Suffolk County Community College — was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, several aggravated unlicensed driving counts, unlawful possession of a hypodermic instrument and a slew of other felony and misdemeanor charges, according to the indictment.
Mr. Beodeker was originally only charged with reckless driving after the accident, but the charges were later upgraded after tests revealed his blood contained .17 percent of methamphetamine and .12 percent of amphetamine at the time of the crash, according to a criminal complaint.
During his initial arraignment Mr. Beodeker told the court that he had taken Ambien and depression medication before the crash, according to a News12 report.
Richard Wool, Mr. Beodeker’s attorney, could not be reached for comment.
In a previous interview with the News-Review, Mr. Wool said his client was “very upset.”
“Based on that fact that, whether there’s a criminal charge or no criminal charges he’s very upset that two people are not alive today,” Mr. Wool said. “But this is all new to him. He’s never been arrested, never mind convicted.”
He is facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
Mr. Beodeker remains held on $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond, court officials said.
He is due back in court on April 30.
