BROOKLYN MAN INDICTED FOR ASSAULT INVOLVING AMATEUR CAR STUNTS THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED A BYSTANDER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Matthew Mitchell, 20, of Brooklyn, was indicted for Assault in the Second Degree, and other related charges, after he struck a 19-year-old woman while allegedly performing dangerous amateur car stunts. 
 
“Real life is not The Fast and the Furious. Earlier this month, a group of wannabe racecar drivers from outside of Suffolk County thoughtlessly took over a number of our roadways, endangering lives, harassing our citizens, and even preventing an ambulance from passing,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the quick work by Suffolk County Police, this alleged criminal driver has now been indicted. These charges should serve as a warning to anyone who might think about engaging in similar conduct in Suffolk County. We will not stop until you are held responsible for your thoughtless and dangerous criminal conduct. The investigation of others involved in this alleged criminal behavior is continuing.” 

According to court documents and the investigation, on October 6, 2024, at approximately 1:15 a.m., a large group of vehicles and people gathered at the Gateway Plaza in Patchogue to participate or observe individuals performing “doughnuts,” drifting, and other amateur car stunts. 
During the course of that night, there were other locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties where groups of vehicles and people were performing similar stunts and driving maneuvers. Witnesses observed, recorded, and posted these stunts on social media. 

One of the posts included a video of the 19-year-old victim that was standing in the parking lot observing the maneuvers. The video allegedly depicted Mitchell’s white Infiniti strike the victim with the side of his car. After she was struck, Mitchell’s vehicle allegedly fled the scene prior to police response. The victim was taken to a local hospital by a friend and treated for a fractured femur and pelvis. 

Suffolk County Police used social media posts to locate both witnesses and the defendant. On October 15, 2024, Suffolk County Police detectives, with the assistance of the New York City Police Department, located and arrested Mitchell outside of his home in Brooklyn. A review of Mitchell’s driving history allegedly revealed that his license had been revoked and had six suspensions on six separate dates.

On October 31, 2024, Mitchell was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for the following charges contained in the indictment:  

•    One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;  
•    One count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class E felony;
•    One count of Reckless Endangerment in Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; 
•    One count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, an unclassified misdemeanor; and 
•    One count of Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor. 

Justice Pilewski ordered Mitchell held on $250,000 cash, $5000,00 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Mitchell is due back in court on December 12, 2024, and faces 7 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Steve Politi, Esq. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ray Varuolo of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective John McAleavey of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Squad. 

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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