NYC Man Gets 2 Years' Jail For Car Stunt That Hurt Woman In Patchogue: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A New York City man was sentenced to two years in jail in connection with striking a 19-year-old woman with his vehicle while performing a dangerous and illegal car stunt in Patchogue back in October 2024, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday.

Matthew Mitchell, 20, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and other related charges, in December.

His attorney, John Manley of Hauppauge, told Patch that his client has "accepted responsibility for this incident and is very remorseful for his actions."

"He appreciates the support of his family throughout this process and looks forward to moving forward," he added.

Tierney said his office "will not tolerate illegal street takeovers" in Suffolk.

"This two-year jail sentence for seriously injuring a bystander will hopefully deter anyone who thinks participating in illegal street takeovers is harmless entertainment,” he said. “These illegal gatherings terrorize neighborhoods and degrade the quality of life in our community. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to crack down on these dangerous and unsanctioned events.”

On Oct, 6, 2024, at around 1:15 a.m., a large group of vehicles and people gathered at the
Gateway Plaza in Patchogue to take part in or watch individuals performing amateur car stunts,
including “doughnuts” and drifting.

A 19-year-old woman was standing in the parking lot watching the maneuvers when Mitchell’s
white Infiniti struck her with the side of his car as he was trying to perform a stunt, prosecutors said, adding that Mitchell then fled the scene prior to police arriving.

The woman was taken to a local hospital and treated for a fractured pelvis and femur, according to prosecutors.

On Oct. 15, 2024, Suffolk detectives, with the help of the New York City Police Department, found and arrested Mitchell, and further investigation revealed that at the time of the crash, his license had been revoked and was suspended six times on six separate dates, prosecutors said.