Brentwood Man Dies After Melville Crash; Other Driver Arrested For DWI: Police

MELVILLE, NY — A Brentwood man who was critically injured in a two-vehicle crash in Melville last month has died, Suffolk County police said.

Police said Nelson Gonzalez, 63, of Brentwood, died following the crash, which occurred at about 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the intersection of Pinelawn Road and the Express Drive South.

According to police, Gonzalez was driving a 2014 Toyota Tacoma south on Pinelawn Road and attempted to make a left turn onto the Express Drive South at a green light when his vehicle was struck head-on by a 2025 Mazda CX-7 traveling northbound on Pinelawn Road, also with a green light.

Gonzalez was taken to Plainview Hospital and later transferred to North Shore Community Hospital in Manhasset, where he was listed in critical condition before his death, police said.

The driver of the Mazda, identified by police as John Ankelman, 59, of Farmingdale, was previously charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with the crash, police said. He was held overnight at the Second Precinct and scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.

The investigation remains ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Second Squad detectives at 631-854-8252.