Wantagh man sentenced for fatal DUI crash at Woodbury diner

A Wantagh man was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison for fatally striking a 61-year-old grandfather in the parking lot of the On Parade Diner in Woodbury in January 2023.

Willem Specht, 63, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, assault, and aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was sentenced by Judge Meryl Berkowitz following his admission that he was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident.

“In the middle of the afternoon on January 18, 2023, Willem Specht got behind the wheel of his car more than twice the legal limit for alcohol, put it in reverse, and mowed down 61-year-old grandfather Joseph Devito,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “Specht’s irresponsible drinking and reckless choices robbed the Devito family of a husband and father’s supportive presence.”

The DA’s office said Specht had a blood alcohol content of 0.18%—more than twice the legal limit—when he reversed his car, striking Devito, who was standing on the sidewalk talking to a friend. Devito suffered catastrophic head injuries and died shortly after being transported to Syosset Hospital.

After hitting Devito, Specht continued driving in reverse, striking a ramp, a fence, and the diner’s exterior wall. He attempted to flee but was stopped by a witness. He was later arrested by Nassau County police.

Specht also violated court orders during the prosecution by continuing to drink publicly, Donnelly said.

“Surveillance video even captured the defendant entering his local liquor store, buying a bottle of vodka, and uncapping it right in the parking lot at the same time he was scheduled and failed to appear for a court date in Joseph Devito’s tragic death,” she added.

The case was prosecuted by the DA's Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Russell. Specht was represented by Steve LaMagna, Esq.