Holtsville dad dies from injuries in Middle Island DWI crash, Medford man arrested

A Holtsville father injured in a late-night crash in Middle Island has died, Suffolk County police said.

James Baldassarri, 44, was pronounced dead from injuries he suffered in an Aug. 27 crash on Wilson Drive, according to an update issued Aug. 29 by police.

Baldassarri was inside a 2025 Toyota parked in front of home on Wilson Drive when police say a driver slammed into the vehicle about 12:05 a.m. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he died on Friday.

Noah Slusser, 21, of Medford was driving a 2017 Ford Taurus south on Wilson Drive when his car struck the parked Toyota, police said. He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. On Thursday, he pleaded not guilty at Suffolk First District Court in Central Islip.

Baldassarri leaves behind his wife, Melanie and a daughter. Family members are remembering him as a devoted friend and relative who was at the heart of every family gathering.

In a touching Facebook post, his sister, Jeanine, wrote that “there are no words to express how heartbroken your entire family is.”

“You were the kindest person I knew, not a bad bone in your body. You only wished everyone well and wanted to be surrounded by family,” Jeanine Baldassarri wrote. “You were the fun Uncle also known as goo goo gaga. You had a beautiful smile and always made us laugh!. Rip our beautiful brother.. you are loved so deeply.”

A second occupant of the Toyota, Crystal Springman, 27, of Middle Island, was taken to NYU Langone Hospital – Suffolk for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Suffolk County Police’s Sixth Squad is asking anyone with information on the crash to call 631.854.8652.

Baldassarri’s family will receive visitors Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Branch Funeral Home of Commack, located at 2115 Jericho Turnpike. A funeral Mass will follow Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, located at 2 Indian Head Road in Commack.

_{Top: Facebook/Jeanine Baldassarri}