Driver Who Struck, Killed Elderly Melville Couple Pleads Guilty

John Hartwig Photo/Nassau DA’s Office

A Massapequa man who admitted to “drinking 10 beers” before he fatally struck a Melville couple with his truck last April has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Singas said 63-year-old John Hartwig “admitted to drinking 10 beers at a bar before getting behind the wheel” of his 2015 Ford Explorer on April 22, 2017. At 8:10 p.m. that night, Hartwig’s truck struck and killed Barbara and Melvyn Glickman, both 77, who were crossing Merrick Road on foot after sharing a dinner with their family at a nearby restaurant.

Following the collision, Hartwig registered a .13-percent blood alcohol concentration and later admitted to drinking the beers at McQuade’s, a bar in Lynbrook that he owns, according to officials.

“The defendant’s criminal actions have caused the Glickman family an unspeakable loss,” Singas said.

Hartwig pleaded guilty Monday before Nassau County Court Judge Robert Bogle to first-degree vehicular manslaughter, a C felony, and two counts of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, an unclassified misdemeanor.

Garden City-based attorney William Petrillo, who is representing Hartwig, said in a phone call Wednesday, “After carefully considering numerous factors, Mr. Hartwig made a well-informed decision to accept responsibility. He has always been deeply remorseful from the moment of this incident.”

He is due back in court March 13 and is expected to be sentenced to 3.5-10.5 years in prison, according to Singas.

--ANDREW WROBLEWSKI