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Seven weeks after a Melville crash that killed 63-year-old Brentwood Army veteran and hospital security guard Nelson Gonzalez, a judge has suspended the driver’s license of the man accused of driving drunk in the collision.
Suffolk County District Court Judge Bernard Cheng revoked the driving privileges of Woodbury resident John Ankelman, 58, a divorced father of four adult children who is charged with DWI in connection with the Dec. 26 crash on Pinelawn Road.
The case remains in Suffolk County District Court, though the matter is being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Office due to a potential conflict of interest in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
A spokesperson for the Queens district attorney confirmed that the judge suspended Ankelman’s license in court on Feb. 13 but declined further comment, citing the ongoing matter.
Neither Ankelman (pictured above on the left), who remains free under non-monetary conditions, nor his attorney Steven Politi could be reached for comment.
Authorities have said Gonzalez was driving his Toyota Tacoma on Pinelawn Road about 10 p.m. when his vehicle was struck head-on by Ankelman’s car. Gonzalez was taken to the hospital and 10 days later died from his injuries, after being taken off life-support.
Gonzalez, a longtime Brentwood resident, was a U.S. Army veteran and former member of the National Guard. He worked as a hospital security guard and was described by family members as a devoted fried and family member and respected member of the community.
Louis Gonzalez, the victim’s brother, attended the Ankelman’s court appearance earlier this month, along with other relatives. He told Greater Long Island that the defense argued against revoking Ankelman’s license, but the judge “stood his ground.”
“The judge was very professional. He wasn’t budging,” Gonzalez said.
Louis Gonzalez said he learned during the court proceeding that the defendant’s blood alcohol content measured about .18 percent on a breath test administered several hours after the crash. The district attorney’s office declined to comment.
Gonzalez described the family’s ongoing pain over losing his brother and expressed frustration that Ankelman remains free while they continue to grieve.
“It’s been incredibly hard,” he said. “We’re living with this loss every day, and he’s still out there. We just want justice for my brother.”
The next court appearance in the case is scheduled for March 17 in Central Islip. It is not yet clear whether additional charges are forthcoming.
Louis Gonzalez said he and his family intend to continue attending each court date.
“We’re going to be there every time,” he said.
Top: John Ankelman (Facebook) and Nelson Gonzalez (Facebook).
