Wantagh Man Indicted; Man Killed In DWI Parking Lot Crash: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A Wantagh man has been indicted for an alleged drunken driving crash that led to a pedestrian being killed in a diner parking lot, prosecutors announced.

Willem Specht, 62, was arraigned on Tuesday on charges that include aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter and two counts of driving while intoxicated.

Specht pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued at $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond, and $1.25 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on September 7.

"Joseph Devito was saying goodbye to a lifelong friend outside a diner after having lunch together, when this defendant, who was allegedly drunk, rapidly reversed his vehicle into the 61-year-old man, and killed him," said Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly. “The reckless actions allegedly committed by this defendant cost an innocent family man his life."

On the afternoon of Jan. 28, Joseph Devito was standing on the sidewalk in front of the On-Parade Diner in Woodbury. The 61-year-old man was talking to a friend he had known since high school, and they had just finished lunch at the diner. Specht is accused of rapidly reversing his car from a parking spot in the diner, where he struck the victim.

The defendant allegedly attempted to leave the scene but was stopped by a witness, Donnelly said.

If convicted, Specht faces up to 25 years in prison.