John Costello Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Vehicular Manslaughter: DA

GREENPORT, NY — Greenport resident John Costello, 72, pleaded guilty to second degree vehicular manslaughter in Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverside Thursday after a December, 2014 crash on Route 25 in Greenport that killed a local vineyard employee, District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

According to Robert Clifford, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota, Costello was sentenced to six year's probation with alcohol counseling; Costello waived his right to appeal.

Costello received one year interim probation, and must return to court every three months for evaluation; at the end of one year interim probation, he will receive five years probation, with alcohol conditions and continue mandated community service, Clifford said.

In addition, the DA's office said, Costello's community service includes 1,260 hours of work with organizations that deliver support services to immigrants; organizations are now being screened for eligibility.

An additional condition to the sentence is Costello’s responsibility to make mandatory payments to the family of Miguel Bartolone, 34, of Peconic who died in the crash, Clifford said; Costello will make the payment every month through his entire probationary period in the amount that the victim was sending home every month – earned by Bartolone while employed at a North Fork vineyard.

Costello, according to online court records, was initially charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; he was later indicted on one count of felony manslaughter, recklessly causing death, and one count of felony second degree vehicular manslaughter.

Bartolone, a passenger in the vehicle driven by Oseas Ramirez, who was then 22, of Peconic, died.

At the time of the crash, police said Costello was driving a 2008 Chevrolet truck east on Route 25 when he crossed over into the westbound lane and struck the 2006 Honda.

Ramirez, of Peconic, was treated and released from ELIH, police said.

Costello was was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Police Chief Martin Flatley said at the time it had been raining heavily the night of the crash and it was not immediately clear if rain was a factor.

Mug shot courtesy of Southold Town Police.