11°
The crash occurred just after midnight on Saturday, Nov. 16 on the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway near exits 39 and 40S in Babylon.
The driver, Jaikaran Ramrookum, age 73, of Smithtown, allegedly struck the police vehicles while troopers were investigating a separate crash involving a 2018 GMC Acadia that had collided with a Department of Transportation light tower in a work zone.
The driver of that vehicle, Jared Robinson, age 32, of Bay Shore, was also found to be driving under the influence.
Troopers were seated in their vehicles behind the GMC Acadia when Ramrookum’s 2004 gray Toyota RAV4 struck the rear of one police car, pushing it into the other.
Ramrookum, who was not involved in the initial crash, was subsequently arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Momentarily stunned by the impact, the troopers checked on other motorists before recognizing their own injuries. All involved were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities noted the incident underscores the dangers of impaired driving, particularly for those working on roadways.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Centereach-Selden and receive free news updates.
