Drunk driver sentenced to 7 to 15 years in prison after fatal crash outside On Parade Diner in Woodbury, Nassau County

MINEOLA, New York (WABC) – A Wantagh man was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison after driving while under the influence of alcohol caused an accident outside a Nassau County diner that left one man dead.

Joseph Devito, 61, was struck and killed outside the diner on Jericho Turnpike on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

He had just left the On Parade Diner and was saying goodbye to his lifelong friend.

The fatal accident occurred at 2:32 p.m., but the public prosecutor assumes that 63-year-old Willem Specht was already drunk.

An ambulance took the victim to Syosset Hospital, where he later died.

“Joseph was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend to many. His family has endured immeasurable grief because of the reckless and entirely preventable actions of this defendant. Our thoughts are with Joseph's family as his killer is held accountable for this tragedy,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

After hitting Devito, prosecutors say Specht continued to back up his 2004 Infiniti G35 and drove over another sidewalk, striking a ramp and metal fence leading into the bar. He continued to back up and crashed into the bar's exterior wall.

Specht then drove on and stopped his car in a parking lot in the direction he had originally come from. He got out, stood in the restaurant parking lot for a short time, and then attempted to leave the scene of the accident, but was stopped by a witness.

Specht was arrested by police after they arrived at the scene and charged with numerous offenses. Police said his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Donnelly described Specht as a “recidivist drunk driver with two previous convictions.”

“Throughout this prosecution and contrary to court orders, Specht continued to drink blatantly and publicly. Surveillance video even showed the defendant enter his local liquor store, purchase a bottle of vodka and open it right in the parking lot at the exact time he was scheduled to appear for a court hearing in Joseph Devito's tragic death but failed to show up. Joseph was a dependable and compassionate man. Specht's irresponsible drinking and reckless decisions robbed the Devito family of the supportive presence of a husband and father. I hope this defendant uses his lengthy prison sentence to reflect on the heartache he has caused,” Donnelly said.

Specht pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence of alcohol.

ALSO READ | Grandfather files lawsuit after claiming Nassau County police wrongfully arrested him and used excessive force

———-

* More news from Long Island

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news

* Follow us on YouTube

Send a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or story idea we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. When attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.