Defendant: Robert C. Schuster (DOB 08/02/68)

April 30, 2020 — Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. announced Robert C. Schuster of Bedford was indicted in the vehicular death of Diego Trejo in Bedford in December. Schuster is charged with multiple counts including aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated.

Schuster, a criminal defense attorney, surrendered to Bedford Police this morning and was arraigned before Westchester County Court Judge David S. Zuckerman.

Specifically, Schuster was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury on the following:

• 2 counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B felony
• 2 counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class C felony
• 1 count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• 2 counts of Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor
• 1 count of Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor

DWI Specialist Robert Schuster left Christmas Party and killed Diego Trejo in a head-on crash

The Judge ordered Schuster to surrender his driver’s license and passport. As required by law, Schuster was released on his own recognizance. His next court date is scheduled for June 16, 2020.

Background
On the night of Dec. 16, 2019, Robert C. Schuster, after leaving a holiday party, was driving eastbound on Route 172 near Darlington Road in Bedford in his 2018 BMW 750.

It is alleged Schuster’s blood alcohol concentration was .08% or higher when he drove his vehicle over the double yellow line into the oncoming lane of travel and crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by the victim Diego Trejo of Mount Kisco. The 22-year-old victim died at the scene. Schuster was injured in the crash and was hospitalized.

Bedford Police and Westchester County Police investigated the crash.

Deputy District Attorney Timothy Ward and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas DiCostanzo of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.

PRIOR DUI CONVICTION; DISBARRED & REINSTATED

FROM TOWN TALK:
Schuster was convicted of driving while ability impaired in Peekskill in 2013.

He was disbarred in 2001 after pleading guilty to securities fraud and commercial bribery in federal court. He was accused the previous year of offering to pay thousands of dollars to a paralegal at a Manhattan law firm for information about mergers and acquisitions involving large corporations, according to published reports at the time.

Schuster served a 6-month home confinement as part of a sentence of three years’ probation, which was ended by the judge after a year and a half, according to federal court records.

He applied for reinstatement as a lawyer in 2008 and it was granted by the state Appellate Division, Second Department the following year, court records show.   MORE

FROM LINKEDIN PROFILE OF ROBERT C. SCHUSTER:
The Law Office of Robert Schuster is a criminal defense law firm located in Mount Kisco and serving clients throughout Westchester County. A former prosecutor, Robert Schuster has a proven track record of success in defending clients and has achieved a 95% rate of success at trial, in addition to a long list of case dismissals and favorable plea bargains. 

FROM GOFUNDME:
On Monday night, December 16th, 2019,  Diego Trejo, 22, was on his way home with his loyal companion, Lily.  Diego and Lily never made it home.  As they were heading west on route 172, not far from the Fox Lane Campus, another car coming from the opposite direction swerved into Diego’s lane, and with a blink of an eye, Diego’s and Lily’s life was taken away.

Diego is a very loved young man. He comes from a very big humble family, who are now torn to pieces.  He was the oldest brother to his two sweet sisters, Stephanie, and Sophia.  Diego was Maria’s oldest and only son.  The only grandson to Fernando and Yolanda Martínez, and a nephew to Jonathan and Will Martinez.  He adored his dog, Lily, who was also with him in the car that night.

When ever you saw Diego, he always said hello with a big smile.  He was a gentle souland loved to have a good time, and was just starting to live his life.  He was truly free spirited and full of happiness. 

The Martinez family is so loved and respected by so many in the community that we have decided to make a gofundme to help them with the funeral expenses.  Any amount will be highly appreciated. 

The wake for Diego will be on Thursday, December 19th 2019, 4-8pm at the Oelker-Cox & Sinatra Funeral Home Inc., 262 E Main St., Mount Kisco, NY 10549

The funeral will be on Friday, December 20th,2019, 10am at the St. Francis of Asssis Church, 2 green street , Mount Kisco NY, 10549