I.P. man gets max sentence for killing Lynbrook couple in 2015 crash

Posted

An Island Park man convicted last December for being under the influence of drugs during a January 2015 high-speed crash that killed a Lynbrook couple was sentenced on Friday to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison, the maximum sentence.

On Jan. 12, 2015, at 8:13 p.m., John Aniano, 27, was driving westbound on Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook at more than 100 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madline Singas. As the defendant approached Denton Avenue, he drove around traffic, onto a shoulder, and through a red light.

Aniano then accelerated westbound, Singas said, and ultimately crashed into the back of a 2005 Toyota Avalon stopped at a red light at Forest Avenue. The car was propelled more than 250 feet into the eastbound lanes, where it struck another vehicle. Toyota driver John Jones, 54, and passenger Sharon Long, 53, both of Lynbrook, were both killed in the accident.

Aniano, who suffered non-life threatening injuries, was observed by police as being under the influence of drugs and was arrested at the scene by Lynbrook police.

A jury found Aniano guilty in December of all counts, including aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter and operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. He was also found guilty of reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

According to news reports, Aniano could become eligible for parole after six years in prison.