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Troopers were first called at around 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, with reports of a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of the highway in the town of Islip, near exit 42, according to State Police.
With help from a Suffolk County Highway Patrol Officer, troopers were able to stop the driver without incident.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the driver had been reported missing. He was turned over to Suffolk County police and reunited with relatives, police said.
Police did not immediately provide the driver’s name or age.
Several hours later, just after 5 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, troopers were again alerted to a wrong-way driver on the Southern State Parkway in the same area.
Callers told 911 the vehicle was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes entering the Sagtikos Parkway northbound in the southbound ramp.
Troopers stopped the driver, who was from out of state, without incident, according to police. They were taken to a local hospital and reunited with family.
“Thankfully with the quick actions of the Troopers and Suffolk County Police working together, potential tragedies were avoided and loved ones were reunited,” New York State Police said in a statement.
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