MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Wantagh man was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for fatally striking a 61-year-old man while intoxicated in a parking lot in Woodbury last year, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
Willem Specht, 63, pleaded guilty in August to aggravated vehicular homicide, assault in the second degree, and aggravated driving while intoxicated for the January 2023 incident that claimed the life of Joseph Devito, a grandfather.
“In the middle of the afternoon on January 18, 2023, Willem Specht got behind the wheel of his car more than twice the legal limit for alcohol, put it in reverse, and mowed down 61-year-old grandfather Joseph Devito,” DA Donnelly said in a statement. “Specht’s irresponsible drinking and reckless choices robbed the Devito family of a husband and father’s supportive presence.”
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the On Parade Diner on Jericho Turnpike. Devito was standing on the sidewalk talking to a friend when Specht, highly intoxicated, rapidly reversed his vehicle from a parking space, hitting Devito and causing fatal head injuries. Devito was pronounced dead at Syosset Hospital shortly after the crash.
After striking Devito, Specht continued driving in reverse, hitting a sidewalk, ramp, metal fence, and finally the diner’s exterior wall. He then moved his car forward to repark, exited the vehicle, and attempted to flee the scene before being stopped by a witness.
The prosecution also revealed that, despite court orders during the case, Specht continued to drink, even purchasing and consuming alcohol publicly while missing a scheduled court appearance.
Specht was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison following his guilty plea to the charges.
