Teen Pleads Guilty in Deadly Livestream Crash

A Port Jefferson teenager who was high, driving a stolen SUV and livestreaming his reckless ride on Instagram when he caused a crash that killed a 73-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide.

Matthew Papile, 18, pleaded guilty on September 15th in Suffolk County court to eight charges stemming from the May 4th, 2024, crash on Middle Country Road in Centereach. Papile was 16 at the time and was prosecuted as an adult.

According to prosecutors, Papile was driving a stolen 2008 Land Rover LR2 while impaired by marijuana and broadcasting his driving on Instagram.

At approximately 9:10 p.m., Papile struck another vehicle and fled, prosecutors said. He continued speeding, weaving through traffic and cutting off other motorists before slamming into the rear of a 1994 Toyota Corolla driven by Marion Napolitano, 73.

The impact sent Napolitano's car off the road and into a telephone pole and tree. She was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A passenger in Papile's vehicle suffered a traumatic brain injury and remains seriously injured more than two years later, according to prosecutors.

Papile allegedly ran from the wreck but was chased and detained by three Good Samaritans, including an off-duty Suffolk County police officer, until responding officers arrived.

Police said Papile showed signs of marijuana impairment and admitted smoking marijuana. Toxicology testing later detected THC in his system.

"The defendant's choices on that day were selfish, lethal and they ruined lives," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

Papile pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault and other charges.

He is scheduled to return to court on October 15th and is expected to receive a sentence of six to 18 years in prison.