Family of Brentwood man killed in alleged DWI crash calling for justice
His niece says her uncle happened to forget his wallet, and it was days later when the family was able to ID Gonzalez in a hospital bed.
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Police say 63-year-old Nelson Gonzalez, of Brentwood, has died after being critically injured in a car crash in Melville.
According to Suffolk police, Gonzalez was hit by 59-year-old John Ankelman, from Farmingdale, who police say was driving drunk.
"Justice for Nelson. This man has to pay for what he did," said Louis Gonzalez, Nelson's brother.
News 12 is told the crash happened in Melville around 10 p.m. on Dec. 26.
Gonzalez's family says the National Guard veteran was working as a nighttime security guard and was driving home when he was hit.
His niece says her uncle happened to forget his wallet, and it was days later when the family was able to ID Gonzalez in a hospital bed.
Police say Gonzalez was driving south on Pinelawn Road trying to make a left on Express Drive South at a green light. They say he was hit head-on by Ankelman who was driving north on Pinelawn Road. They say he also had a green light.
"My brother suffered on that bed. Those injuries were really very bad," said Louis Gonzalez.
Right now Ankelman is charged with driving while intoxicated.
Suffolk officials say the Queens district attorney is the special prosecutor for the case, but they haven't said why.
Gonzalez's family says they're raising money for funeral costs.
News 12 reached out to the Queens District Attorney's Office asking if charges will be upgraded now that Gonzalez has died and is waiting to hear back.
RELATED: Victim of suspected drunk driving crash in Melville dies
