MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A driver who was high on PCP when he plowed into two motorcyclists in Lower Manhattan, killing one and badly injuring the other, was sentenced to up to six years in prison on Friday.
But prosecutors suggested that they might have been able to get a longer prison term had the NYPD not destroyed the Volkswagen Jetta that Adam Greenberg was driving on July 21, 2008.
A source said that the car was destroyed on July 28, 2009, the day before a defense experts were set to examine it. The source also said that the department knew about the planned inspection.
Greenberg, 34, who already had a poor driving record, had been speeding at Whitehall and South streets when he plowed into Dimitrios Kazanas, who was killed, and Gary Quinlin, a former motorcycle enthusiast who spoke at Greenberg's sentencing.
"Your conduct in terms of the outcome was not intentional but your acts were really outrageously reckless," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus told Greenberg at he sentencing, which was attended by Kazanas' family and Quinlin.
"It was an accident waiting to happen."
Quinlin, a civil engineer, who used to get around the city on his motorcycle for work, said Greenberg clearly did not care about the tragedy he is responsible for.
"He has shown no remorse for his actions, the victims or their families," Quinlin said.
Greenberg, who declined to speak when offered the chance, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, operating a motor vehicle while impaired and assault on May 13. He faced up to 15 years in prison if he had been convicted on the top count of manslaughter.
Prosecutors had asked for three to nine years in prison but the judge had promised him two to six in exchange for his plea.
Obus recommended Greenberg never get his license back upon his release from prison, but after five years the DMV can legally do so with if the commissioner authorizes it, prosecutors said.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.
