Cops: Mattituck man charged with DWI after pedestrian killed in Riverhead crash

Update (Wednesday, 5 p.m.): Riverhead town police identified the victim of last Thursday’s fatal crash as 38-year-old Alexander Lopez Guzman. Police said he was homeless.

Original Story: A pedestrian was struck and killed Thursday night on West Main Street in Riverhead by an alleged drunk driver, according to Riverhead Town police.

The crash occurred near 953 W. Main St. and police responded just after 10 p.m. Officers found the victim, who has not yet been identified by police, in serious condition and he was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center by the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

The driver, Matthew Nemschick, 54, of Mattituck was arrested at the scene and charged with felony driving while intoxicated, police said.

Riverhead detectives and the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Team responded to assist the investigation at the scene. Mr. Nemschick was transported to police headquarters and arraigned Friday morning before Town Justice Lori Hulse.

Prosecutors said Friday that they anticipate upgraded charges in the case and asked the judge to use her discretion to set bail for Mr. Nemschick since the crash led to the death of another person.

“While at this time he’s only charged with felony DWI, he struck a pedestrian and the pedestrian died as a result of the crash,” argued Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter, requesting $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond for Mr. Nemschick, who was previously convicted of DWI in 2018.

Mattituck attorney Stephen Kiely, appearing on behalf of Mr. Nemschick, asked the judge to consider releasing his client without bail, saying he’s the primary caregiver for two teenage daughters.

Judge Hulse set bail for Mr. Nemschick, who works as an electrician at Plum Island, at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. He is due back in court Wednesday.

The judge said blood alcohol results had not yet been released by the lab Friday morning.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact police at 631-727-4500.