Defendant was convicted in April on top charge of assault in the first degree
MINEOLA, N.Y. – The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office announced that Anthony Chiantella was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for a near-fatal crash on the Wantagh State Parkway in February 2019 that left his passenger a quadriplegic.
Chiantella, 29, was sentenced today before Judge Terence Murphy to 17 years in prison and five-years post-release supervision. He was convicted by a jury of assault in the first degree (a B violent felony), assault in the second degree (a D violent felony), reckless endangerment in the first degree (a D felony), vehicular assault in the second degree (an E felony), two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (an unclassified misdemeanor), and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and a drug (an unclassified misdemeanor) on April 16, 2021.
According to the indictment, on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at approximately 4:41 pm, the defendant, drunk and under the influence of cocaine, was driving 24-year-old Nicholas Mustakas’ 2007 Honda Accord at more than 130 miles per hour northbound on the Wantagh State Parkway when he lost control of the vehicle near Exit W6 and crashed, ejecting both the defendant and his front seat passenger, Mustakas, from the vehicle.
Both Chiantella and Mustakas were transported to Nassau University Medical Center following the crash. Mustakas endured numerous surgeries, prolonged hospitalization, and physical therapy, but remains a quadriplegic and requires around the clock care. He is unlikely to walk again.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Casa and Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexander DePalo of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case. Robert Schalk, Esq. represented the defendant.
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