Massapequa Park Man Gets 2 to 4 years in Drugged Driving Crash

A Massapequa Park man who was convicted in September of severely injuring an 80 year-old woman in a crash after swallowing prescription drugs has been sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison.

Joseph Jacob, 35, was found guilty of vehicular assault, driving while ability impaired and reckless driving after a bench trial. He had been acquitted of first degree assault.

On Sept. 23 2008, Jacob took 60 Xanax pills and left a suicide note.

He was speeding on Carmans Road that afternoon and barrelled over the center median as well as through three lanes of traffic before smashing into two cars in the eastbound lanes that were turning into the Sunrise Mall.

The victim suffered fractured ribs a ruptured spleen and diminished mental capacity and spent three months in the hospital.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen RIce issued a statement praising the judge  for giving Jacob the maximum sentence.