Update: Family Says Victim Wasn't Texting Before Fatal Crash

A West Hempstead man lost control of his vehicle before crashing into a tree on Stewart Avenue just before 10 p.m. Thursday in Garden City, Nassau County Homicide Squad detectives report.

Michele Guglielmi, 59, was operating a 1998 Volvo eastbound on Stewart Avenue when he crossed into the westbound lanes striking a tree on the north side of the street, east of Kildare Road, according to a police report.

During the investigation, police say the victim had been texting on his cell phone just prior to the accident. Guglielmi's sister, however, told Patch that her brother didn't know how to text and was likely calling for help because he didn't feel well.

"He was playing darts and didn't feel well so he left," she said. "He had a heart condition. He didn't feel good and was trying to call his wife or 911 for help. He did not text. He doesn't know how to text."

Garden City police were first on scene and attended to the victim, who was transported via county ambulance to Winthrop-University Hospital. Mr. Guglielmi was pronounced deceased at 10:23 p.m. by a staff physician. 

The vehicle was impounded for brake and safety checks. Garden City and Nassau County detectives are continuing the investigation.