Huntington Station Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested Under Leandra's Law With Child

Suffolk County Police arrested Matthew Mezeul, 37, after a hit-and-run crash in Huntington Station that left an abandoned vehicle and a young child at his home. Multiple 911 callers reported a Toyota Prius striking an unoccupied parked Mazda on Jan. 21, and patrols soon located the abandoned Prius nearby.

Investigators say Matthew Mezeul returned to his residence after the collision and was found inside a vehicle with his 4-year-old son. Mezeul was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger, a Leandra’s Law felony, as well as Driving While Intoxicated and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The child was not injured and was released to a family member.

The sequence of 911 calls, the discovery of the abandoned Prius and Mezeul’s arrest underscore how quickly routine reports of property damage can escalate into criminal investigations when a child’s safety is involved. Hit-and-run crashes create additional hazards on local streets and complicate accident response, and the presence of a child passenger elevates potential criminal liability under New York law.

For Huntington Station residents, the case highlights two immediate community concerns: roadway safety and child welfare. Drivers on busy local roads should expect heightened enforcement of impaired-driving laws and faster police response to hit-and-run reports. Parents and guardians are reminded of the legal consequences of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a child aboard; court filings in this case will reflect the aggravated charge under Leandra’s Law.

Suffolk County detectives are continuing the investigation into the incident. Detectives asked anyone with information to contact the Second Squad. Timely tips from neighbors or motorists who witnessed the crash or saw the Prius before it was located can help clarify events and assist prosecutors.

This arrest follows a clear procedural path for cases involving suspected impaired driving and child passengers: police investigation, criminal charges, and transfer to Suffolk County court. Neighbors can expect routine updates from the county police as charges proceed and as detectives follow leads. For now, the priority remains the safety of the child involved and ensuring the community’s streets are kept secure from similar incidents in the future. If you have information about the crash, contact the Second Squad so investigators can complete the record and move the case forward.