Beckerle Sentenced to 6 Months Over Near-Lethal DWI Smashup

Matthew Beckerle, a Rockland County businessman who caused a drunken-driving car crash in Clarkstown that nearly killed several people, will serve six months in jail and five years probation.

The crash took place June 13, 2015. He was indicted in September.

The original charges brought by the Rockland County District Attorney against the Pearl River resident were:

• Vehicular Assault in 1st Degree,
• Vehicular Assault in the 2nd Degree (4 Counts)
• Assault in the 2nd Degree (4 Counts),
• Assault in the 3rd Degree (5 Counts)
• Driving While Intoxicated

Beckerle pleaded guilty to a felony charge of vehicular assault in March. He was sentenced Aug. 6, the Rockland County Times reported.

On June 13, 2015, he was southbound on Route 304, doing about 90 mph in a family lumber truck, when he rear-ended a vehicle with two occupants.

He then swerved into the northbound lanes of Route 304 and crashed head on into another vehicle with three occupants. Both vehicles were totaled due to the force of impact, prosecutors said. The occupants of both vehicles all suffered serious physical injury.

He apologized at his sentencing, and his victims reminded him that they were permanently damaged, according to the Rockland County Times.