Bethpage man accused of attacking firefighter responding after car hits home

A Bethpage man faces assault and resisting arrest charges after a teen driver crashed his car into his house Sunday afternoon and he allegedly attacked a responding firefighter, according to Nassau County police.

Police officers used an electronic control device to subdue Salvatore Conte, 70, after he "became irate," then pushed and injured a 52-year-old volunteer Bethpage firefighter, police said. The firefighter was among several who had responded to the crash at Conte's home and were working inside, police said.

When officers attempted to arrest Conte for the alleged assault he resisted, prompting the officers to hit him with the device, Nassau police said.

Conte was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. His condition was not made available Monday.

The firefighter, whose name was not released, suffered a hip injury, police said.

The alleged assault occurred after a black 2024 BMW driven by a 16-year-old crashed into the home. Neither the driver nor his two passengers, age 16 and 17, were injured.

Police said the teen motorist was ticketed for driving unsupervised with a learner's permit.

Police said Conte was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest.

At his arraignment Monday, Conte pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance, according to court records.

He is scheduled to return to Nassau District Court next Monday. 

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”