Driver Sentenced In Death Of New City Couple

NEW CITY, — The 24-year-old who smashed into Neil and Aline Block while running a red light in New City in June has been sentenced to four to 12 years in state prison. Matthew Sindone, who was high on Xanax at the time of the fatal crash, pleaded guilty in October to felony vehicular homicide.

“No amount of words can undo the damage or pain that this defendant has caused,” said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe in an announcement Wednesday. “Hopefully, the lengthy prison sentence imposed today will give some measure of solace to the victim’s family and will serve as a measure of justice for two senseless deaths.”

Sindone, a Nanuet resident, was driving a Lincoln MKT at 5:12 p.m. June 4 when he ran a red light at the intersection of Route 304 and Goebel Road. The Blocks, who lived near the intersection, were in a Toyota Camry.

First responders pronounced Neil Block dead at the scene of the collision. Aline Block was declared
dead after being extricated from the mangled Toyota.

The defendant suffered cuts to his head and was taken to Nyack Hospital, where Town of Clarkstown
police officers recovered Xanax from his pocket.

Sindone admitted to using Xanax and Klonopin in the hours before the fatal crash. A subsequent
analysis of his blood revealed 1500 ng/mL of Xanax, an incredibly high amount indicative
of the level of the defendant’s impairment at the time, Zugibe said.

First Assistant District Attorney James Mellion and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael
Dugandzic prosecuted the case.

PHOTO: Matthew Sindone/ Rockland County DA's Office

SEE:

• Victims Of Fatal Route 304 Crash Identified
  
• Plea From Nanuet Driver Who Ran Red Light And Killed 2