Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Nelson Gonzalez, 63, has died following a suspected drunk driving crash that occurred the day after Christmas in Melville, according to police. Gonzalez was placed in a coma after what police are calling a head-on DWI crash and succumbed to his injuries days later.
The collision occurred around 10 p.m. when alleged drunk driver John Ankelman, 59, of Farmingdale, struck Gonzalez’s Toyota Tacoma head-on while Gonzalez was in the intersection of Pinelawn Road and Express Drive South, police say. Ankelman was driving a 2025 Mazda CX-7 at the time of the crash.
Gonzalez was critically injured in the collision and had to be revived at the scene before being transported to Plainview Hospital, according to his family who spoke to News 12. He was later transferred to North Shore Community Hospital in Manhasset, where he ultimately died from his injuries.
According to his family, Gonzalez served in the National Guard for 18 years and worked in security. The family provided these details to News 12 in earlier reporting about the crash.
Ankelman was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated, police report. However, the Suffolk District Attorney’s office has not yet responded to News 12’s inquiry about whether upgraded charges will be filed against Ankelman following Gonzalez’s death.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Pinelawn Road and Express Drive South in Melville, a busy commercial area in Suffolk County. Pinelawn Road serves as a major east-west thoroughfare through the Town of Huntington, connecting residential neighborhoods with commercial districts and providing access to several major highways in the area.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Ankelman faces an initial charge of driving while intoxicated following his arrest at the crash scene. With Gonzalez’s death, prosecutors may consider upgraded charges, though the Suffolk District Attorney’s office has not yet announced any decisions regarding additional or enhanced charges. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the head-on collision remains ongoing.