A routine traffic stop in Bushwick turned into a deadly street disaster, and now 27-year-old Robert Matthews is headed to state prison for it.
Matthews was sentenced this week to an indeterminate term of five to ten years in prison after a late-afternoon police chase ended when his car struck two pedestrians, killing a 71-year-old woman. He had pleaded guilty in April to second-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene where death results, according to court filings.
As outlined by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Matthews was sentenced May 29 in Brooklyn Supreme Court after accepting a court offer. Prosecutors said officers saw him run a stop sign, at which point he sped off and drove at excessive speeds before the deadly collision.
According to prosecutors, officers first observed Matthews run a stop sign near Evergreen and Weirfield Streets, then followed his vehicle as it crossed the double yellow line, ran a red light and blew through additional stop signs. His car eventually turned onto Eldert Street and, after swerving to avoid another vehicle, struck 71-year-old Juanita Vidal and her 44-year-old daughter as they began to cross at Eldert and Knickerbocker, BK Reader reported.
Vidal died at a hospital of blunt-force trauma to her neck and torso, and her daughter suffered multiple fractures and punctured lungs, prosecutors said. Matthews was arrested on July 22, 2024, and initially faced a wide slate of charges including manslaughter and unlawful fleeing, as reported by amNY.
Legal Context
Matthews ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene where death results, both serious felonies under New York law that can lead to lengthy prison terms. Manslaughter in the second degree is classified as a Class C felony in the state and can carry significant prison exposure, according to the New York Penal Law.
Prosecutors' Statement
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez framed the outcome as a message to reckless drivers. "This prosecution brings the defendant to justice and underscores our commitment to keeping Brooklyn’s streets safe for all," he said, according to his office. The DA credited the NYPD Highway Patrol and Collision Investigation Squad with the investigation and noted that the case was prosecuted by the Grey Zone Trial Bureau.
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