Kurt Semder

•

Sep 25, 2024, 5:58 PM

•

Updated

More Stories

02:44

Suffolk police searching for 2 women accused of stealing $1,800 from stores using sleight-of-hand

00:28

Elmont man accused of assaulting two women, stabbing one and hitting her with flower pot

00:43

Cornell president calls alleged gang rape ‘deeply disturbing,’ pledges greater transparency

00:17

Police find 70 envelopes of heroin after stopping e-biker in Seaford

00:28

Police chase down man accused of attacking woman with gun in New Cassel home

00:52

Health aide pleads guilty to endangering welfare of disabled vet at state-run facility

Joe Devito's family spoke in court Wednesday about how their family was "shattered" by the sudden loss of their loved one.

Willem Specht backed his car into Devito in January 2023 outside the On Parade Diner in Woodbury. Prosecutors say Specht's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit at the time.

Specht pleaded guilty to three charges, including second-degree aggravated vehicular homicide. He spoke briefly at his sentencing, apologizing to the family.

He was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison, with the judge noting Specht had two prior convictions for DWI.

Devito's children and wife spoke as well, describing Joe as a selfless, dedicated family man.

They also said the forgive Specht, because it's what Joe would have wanted.