Bellmore Man Convicted of Felony DWI After Northern State Parkway Crash

Gaffney’s BAC was more than twice the legal limit

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a repeat drunk driver has been convicted of felony DWI after rear-ending another vehicle on the Northern State Parkway last February. The Bellmore man had a blood-alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.

It took a jury less than a day to convict Matthew Gaffney, 36, of Driving While Intoxicated. He faces up to four years in prison at his January 21 sentencing.

Rice said on February 26, 2009, Gaffney was driving eastbound on the Northern State Parkway near Exit 28 when he rear-ended a braking vehicle in front of him. Nobody was injured in the crash. Gaffney’s BAC at the time of the crash was .17. He was previously convicted of driving while intoxicated in 1999.

“This defendant is extremely lucky that nobody was injured or killed in a crash that could’ve been easily prevented,” Rice said. “I will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute drunk drivers who recklessly endanger innocent passengers and fellow motorists.”

Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Connolly and Lauren Nickerson of the County Court Trial Bureau are handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office. Gaffney is represented by Michael Soshnick, Esq.