BAC of Farmingdale's John Ankelman was twice legal limit before suspected DWI fatal crash, court papers say

The blood alcohol content of a Farmingdale man who was allegedly intoxicated when he caused a fatal crash in Melville the day after Christmas was more than double the legal limit, according to an 11-count indictment charging him with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges.

John Ankelman’s BAC was 0.18% several hours after the Dec. 26 crash that claimed the life of Nelson Gonzalez of Brentwood, the court papers said. The legal limit in New York is 0.08%.

Ankelman, 59, pleaded not guilty to the charges outlined in the indictment when he appeared at an arraignment on Wednesday before Suffolk Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Collins ordered Ankelman held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, $250,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond.

Collins’ courtroom was packed with nearly two dozen friends and relatives who attended to show support for Gonzalez, 63, and his family. Gonzalez’ son traveled from his home in Sydney, Australia, to attend the hearing.

"We lost a father, we lost a son, and this is ridiculous," Gonzalez’s brother, Louis Gonzalez of Brentwood, said after the arraignment. "My heart goes out to all the DWI driving victims out there who are dealing with this problem, and the people that survive these accidents, and the people who take care of them."

Ankelman’s attorney, Steve Politi of Central Islip, told Collins that the defendant was deeply saddened by Gonzalez’ death.

"Even if there is no allegation of misconduct, a car accident that results in someone’s death is always a tragic and emotional thing," Politi told reporters after the arraignment. "Obviously, we deny these allegations, but it doesn’t change the fact that those folks lost their family member."

More than two dozen people attended the arraignment to express solidarity with Ankelman, some coming from as far away as Florida, Politi said.

"When you are a good person, and you have spent your whole life behaving appropriately and making good decisions and connections, you have people who want to support you," Politi said.

Ankelman is being prosecuted by Jonathan Selkowe, deputy chief of the Queens District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, to prevent possible conflicts of interest with the Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office. Ankelman has "relationships" with employees of Tierney’s office and Suffolk police, Politi said.

Ankelman was arrested for driving while ability impaired by alcohol in 2021, according to Selkowe, who said the defendant was only permitted to drive in necessary situations such as going to work or picking up children from day care — but not to or from bars.

Politi said there is a witness who will raise doubts about the cause of the crash and called prosecutors’ case "an inaccurate presentation."

Selkowe told Collins that Ankelman had spent several hours before the crash at a Farmingdale bar, where he had several alcoholic drinks. The bar closed at about 10 p.m. that night due to a snowstorm, and Ankelman promised the bartender that he would contact Uber to get a ride home.

Instead, he drove his 2025 Mazda CX-70 northbound on Pinelawn Road in Melville, despite slippery roads, poor visibility and his intoxication, Selkowe said. His vehicle struck a 2014 Toyota Tacoma driven by Gonzalez, who was driving south on Pinelawn Road and was attempting to turn onto Express Drive South, according to prosecutors.

Ankelman was visibly intoxicated when Suffolk police arrived at the scene, and told officers that he had contacts in the police department and in the DA's office, Selkowe said. 

Gonzalez, a U.S. Army veteran, was taken to Plainview Hospital before he was transferred to North Shore Community Hospital in Manhasset in critical condition. He was in a medically induced coma until he died on Jan. 5 from his injuries, which included fractures to his neck and spine and brain swelling, Suffolk police said.

Collins ordered Ankelman to return to court on April 20. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.

Louis Gonzalez remembered his brother as a "stand-up, funny guy," known as a hard worker and a positive role model for others.

"He’s going to be missed," the grieving brother said. "That’s all I could say. He is just going to be missed by his brothers and sisters and his family."