Centereach, NY — A Long Island teenager who was smoking marijuana and livestreaming a joyride in a stolen luxury SUV when he crashed into another vehicle and killed a 73-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, officials said.
Matthew Papile, now 18, entered the guilty plea Tuesday in connection with the May 4, 2024 crash on Middle Country Road in Centereach, according to Suffolk County authorities.
Papile was only 16 years old at the time of the crash. Prosecutors said he was driving a stolen 2008 Land Rover when he slammed into the back of a 1994 Toyota Corolla carrying Marion Napolitano and a passenger.
The impact was so severe that the smaller Toyota was launched off the roadway and into a telephone pole and tree.
Napolitano was killed in the crash, while her passenger suffered serious injuries.
Livestreamed joyride ended in deadly collision
According to Suffolk County police, Papile was livestreaming the drive on social media while smoking pot behind the wheel.
What began as a stolen-vehicle joyride quickly turned into a fatal collision on one of Long Island’s roads. The crash left Napolitano dead and another person seriously injured, while Papile attempted to escape from the scene on foot.
His attempt to flee did not last long.
Three Good Samaritans reportedly caught up with the teenager and held him until authorities could take him into custody. One of those people was an off-duty Suffolk County police officer, according to officials.
The circumstances surrounding the crash eventually led prosecutors to pursue the case against Papile as an adult.
Prosecutor condemns teen’s choices
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney sharply criticized Papile’s actions in a statement following the guilty plea.
“[Papile’s] guilty plea underscores the outrageous and utterly unacceptable decision to get behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle while impaired and drive recklessly through the streets of Suffolk County,” Tierney said.
The district attorney also said the teenager’s decisions had devastating consequences for the victims and their families.
“[His] choices on that day were selfish, lethal and they ruined lives,” Tierney added.
The case highlights the consequences of a dangerous chain of decisions involving a stolen vehicle, impaired driving and reckless behavior that ultimately ended with a fatal crash.
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Teen faces years in prison
Papile now faces a significant prison sentence following his guilty plea. Officials said he faces six to 18 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Because Papile was 16 when the crash occurred but was tried as an adult, the case has continued through the adult criminal justice system.
The fatal crash has left a lasting impact on the people involved, particularly the family of Napolitano, who was killed when the stolen Land Rover struck her vehicle.
The passenger in Napolitano’s Corolla also suffered serious injuries in the collision.
For prosecutors, Papile’s guilty plea brings the case closer to its conclusion, although the final outcome will depend on the sentencing hearing.
The case also serves as a stark example of how a reckless decision behind the wheel can have consequences far beyond the person driving the vehicle.
Papile’s sentencing on Sept. 15 is expected to determine how long he will spend behind bars for the crash that claimed Napolitano’s life.
What do you think about this case and the consequences Papile now faces? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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