Community Corner

Driver Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter in Fatal Meadowbrook Accident

The man who was allegedly responsible for killing two people while they were standing outside their car on the Meadowbrook Parkway was re-arrested Friday and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving while impaired by drugs.

He faces up to 25 years in prison.

According to New York State Police, a GMC pick-up truck, driven by Robert Beodeker, 50, of Aquebogue, was traveling southbound on the Meadowbrook Parkway near the Southern State Parkway just after noon on March 4 when it struck a disabled Nissan Maxima, as well as two pedestrians that were standing near the vehicle. 

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The two pedestrians, identified as Edward Ross, 65, of North Bellmore and John Elder, 76, of Freeport, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said that both victims had been traveling in the Nissan before it became disabled and stopped on the hazard markings of the parkway. 

Beodeker was initially charged with reckless driving and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, but after an investigation, he has been charged with aggravated vehicular manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide and driving while ability impaired by drugs.

His arraignment is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. at First District Court in Hempstead.

This is a breaking news story, and Patch will provide more information as it's made available. 


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