Dix Hills cyclist killed; motorcyclist charged with DWI

Matthew Scarpati, an avid cyclist, had recently discovered the bike path that runs along the Wantagh State Parkway and regularly ventured out from his parents' Dix Hills home for the scenic ride.

"He really liked it," said his brother, Chris Scarpati, 25, of Dix Hills. "He thought it was really beautiful over there."

On Monday, Scarpati, 19, was changing a flat tire on the Wantagh State Parkway bike path just north of the Goose Creek drawbridge about 8 p.m. when an intoxicated James J. Ryan lost control of his 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, veered off the roadway, crossed onto the bike path and struck him, State Police said.

Scarpati was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center, where he died, police said.

He had just completed his freshman year at the University at Buffalo, where he was majoring in economics, and was working as a doorman at a Manhattan apartment building for the summer, his brother said. He aspired to be a lawyer.

"We are deeply saddened that his life was cut short," Chris Scarpati said. "It's important for people to understand that their actions affect other people and that they will never be the same again."

The family had another loss eight years ago when Matthew's brother Michael, died of a rare heart condition. He was 20.

The bicycle path is the most popular on a Long Island state facility and is used by an average of 1,000 riders per day, said Eileen Peters, a spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation.

Ryan, 44, of New Hyde Park, was transported to NUMC and was admitted to the intensive care unit. He remains there in critical condition, said State Police investigator Michael Harris.

Witnesses told police he had been speeding.

Ryan, who has not been arraigned, has been charged with driving while intoxicated, second-degree vehicular manslaughter and reckless manslaughter, reckless driving and second-degree reckless endangerment.

A wake for Scarpati will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Matthew Scarpati Scholarship Fund, 20 Bagatelle Rd., Dix Hills, NY 11746.

With John Valenti