Suffolk Reporter

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of Matthew Mitchell, a 20-year-old from Brooklyn, on charges including Assault in the Second Degree. The charges stem from an incident where Mitchell allegedly injured a 19-year-old woman while performing amateur car stunts.

“Real life is not The Fast and the Furious," said District Attorney Tierney. "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."

Tierney credited the swift action by Suffolk County Police for leading to Mitchell's indictment. He warned that such charges should deter others from engaging in similar activities within Suffolk County: “We will not stop until you are held responsible for your thoughtless and dangerous criminal conduct." The investigation into others involved in these activities is ongoing.

The events occurred on October 6, 2024, around 1:15 a.m., when vehicles and spectators gathered at Gateway Plaza in Patchogue to participate or watch individuals perform stunts like "doughnuts" and drifting. Similar gatherings were reported across Suffolk and Nassau counties that night. Witnesses recorded these stunts and shared them on social media.

One video showed the victim standing in the parking lot as Mitchell’s white Infiniti allegedly struck her with its side before fleeing the scene prior to police arrival. The victim was later taken to a local hospital by a friend for treatment of a fractured femur and pelvis.