On Parade Diner in Woodbury fatal collision: Joseph Devito of Wantagh killed, driver charged with DWI

Just after leaving a Woodbury diner Wednesday afternoon, a Wantagh man was struck and killed by a motorist who has been charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter, Nassau County police said.

Willem Specht, 62, of Woodbury, hit the pedestrian when he reversed his gray 2004 Infiniti sedan in the parking lot of the On Parade Diner on Jericho Turnpike at 2:32 p.m., police said.

The victim, identified as Joseph Devito, 61, was pronounced dead about 75 minutes later at a hospital, police said.

In addition to DWI and vehicular manslaughter, Specht also has been charged with reckless endangerment, assault and manslaughter. According to court records, at his arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead, Specht was represented by a Legal Aid attorney and ordered held on $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash bail by Judge Norman Sammut.

A mandatory license suspension also was imposed, according to records.

It was not immediately clear if Specht was able to post bond or bail.

"Just a very sad, unfortunate event," said diner co-owner Nick Krimitsos. "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

Krimitsos said Devito had come to the diner a few times with a friend, who came more regularly.

Krimitsos said Devito was standing just off the sidewalk when the driver backed up out of a parking spot and crashed into him against a railing and the side of the diner.

The twisted railing and dented chromium diner were tied with yellow barricade tape Thursday, blocking the ramp to the front door.

"The car hit Mr. Devito just off the sidewalk and dragged him through the railing and the car left the victim," Krimitsos said. "It all happened in about three seconds."

He said the driver pulled away and then parked in another spot, before getting out to see the crash, when he was confronted by police.

Krimitsos and employees rushed outside to tend to Devito, who was lying on the sidewalk.

"I ran outside and we did whatever we could. It was apparent we shouldn't move him at all and I worked with his friend to try to console him and talk to him and called out his name several times. Then paramedics took over," Krimitsos said.

The diner was only open for takeout after the incident Wednesday and had fully reopened by Thursday morning.

Some customers offered condolences and expressed shock at the collision.

"It's a little traumatizing and we just hope to find some closure," Krimitsos said. "The image of Mr. Devito will be with me for a long time. My heart goes out to his family."

With John Valenti