Wrong-way driver who caused fatal crash sentenced, DA says

Noel Pastora, of Hempstead, is led out of the Fifth Precinct... — Noel Pastora, of Hempstead, is led out of the Fifth Precinct in Patchogue for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on June 27, 2021. Credit: James Carbone

By Robert Brodskyrobert.brodsky@newsday.com @BrodskyRobertUpdated August 3, 2022

A Hempstead man who drove the wrong way on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale last year drunk and high on cocaine before striking and killing another motorist, was sentenced Wednesday to 3 ½ to 10 ½ years in prison.

Noel Pastora, 57, pleaded guilty in June before Judge Richard Horowitz to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.

“This defendant’s reckless operation of his car while intoxicated cost an innocent man his life,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “This type of behavior has to stop.”

The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, which represented Pastora, did not respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors said Pastora drove his 2000 Dodge pickup westbound in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway shortly before 2 a.m. on June 27, 2021, before crashing head-on with a 2010 Honda Insight driven by Dominick Capizola.

The 74-year-old Sayville man was killed instantly, according to court documents.

Police arriving on the scene noticed Pastora exhibited signs of intoxication, prosecutors said.

He consented to a chemical blood test which showed a .15% blood alcohol content — nearly double the legal limit of .08% — while cocaine was also found in his system, authorities said.