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71°
Monday, sep 16
Tag:
Drunk Driving
News
28-Year-Old Driving Drunk Slams Into Cruiser On Long Island Expressway: Police
A man who was driving drunk on the Long Island Expressway slammed into a police cruiser and then another vehicle involved in an earlier crash overnight, according to authorities. The incident happened just before 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Ronkonkoma. Jose Martin Abeu Jr., age 28, of Brentwood, was driving a 2020 Honda sedan on the eastbound near Exit 58, when he crashed his vehicle into the rear of the stopped police vehicle that had been directing traffic after a prior crash, and then into a 2008 Ford F150 that was involved in the original crash. The…
News
Justin Timberlake Admits Driving While Impaired On Long Island
Justin Timberlake formally accepted a plea deal in his alleged drunk driving case in New York. The former NSYNC frontman, age 43, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired in Sag Harbor Village court on Friday, Sept. 13. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and complete 25 hours of community service within a year. He also agreed to make a public safety announcement about the dangers of drinking and driving. The judge said Timberlake's New York State driver's license will have a 90-day suspension. Earlier Report: NY Judge Suspends Justin Timberlake's Lic…
Police & Fire
Intoxicated Driver Had His Kids In Car When He Crashed On Long Island: Police
A 46-year-old Long Island man faces multiple felony charges after police said he drove while intoxicated and crashed into multiple parked vehicles with his two young daughters in his car. Gerardo Gonzalez Ramos, of Shirley, was arrested on Saturday, Sept. 7, following the crash in Mastic, Suffolk County Police said. Police received tips that a Honda had plowed into two cars at 50 Mastic Blvd West a little before 8:30 p.m. As officers investigated, Gonzalez Ramos returned to the crash site, authorities said. He had his two daughters — ages 4 and 6 — in the vehic…
Police & Fire
Drunk Driver Nabbed After Hit-Run Crash Involving Woman On Long Island, Police Say
A man allegedly driving drunk was apprehended after police say he fled the scene of a crash involving a female pedestrian on Long Island.The crash happened around 7:20 p.m. Sunday Sept. 1, in Flanders. Upon arrival by Southampton Town Police Department officers, it was reported that the had struck the woman on Oak Avenue and left the scene of the crash. Juan Garcia-Fuentes, age 25, of Flanders. was observed operating a motor vehicle an intoxicated condition in the area of 218 Oak Ave in Flanders after it was determined that he had left the scene of the accident. Garcia-Fuentes …
Police & Fire
Mugshot Released: Suspected NJ Drunk Driver Who Killed NHL Star, Brother
The mugshot was released for the Woodstown man accused of driving drunk, killing an NHL star and his brother. The Salem County Correctional Facility released the mugshot of 43-year-old Sean Higgins to Newsweek. Higgins was charged with two counts of death by auto in the Thursday, Aug. 29 crash that killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny, 31, played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames. Matthew, 29, was a boys hockey head coach at the brothers' alma mater of Gloucester Catholic High School. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among countless ho…
News
Repeat Drunk Driver Admits Hitting, Killing Man Outside Woodbury Restaurant
More than a year after a husband and father was struck and killed by a repeat drunk driver outside a Long Island restaurant, his family is getting closure. Willem Specht, age 63, of Wantagh, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and related charges in Nassau County Court on Monday, Aug. 26, in the death of Joseph Devito. Prosecutors said Specht was “highly intoxicated” when he quickly reversed his car from a parking spot, striking the 61-year-old Devito outside the On Parade Diner in Woodbury at around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2023. Earlier Report: ID Released For Man Struck,…
News
Driver Behind DWI Crash Killing 15-Year-Old In Woodmere Found Guilty Of Vehicular Homicide
More than two years after a 15-year-old girl was killed in a drunk driving crash on Long Island, the man responsible has been convicted. Arlin Aguilera, age 37, of West Hempstead, was found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide and related charges by a Nassau County jury on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in the death of Liel Namdar. Prosecutors said Aguilera was intoxicated and speeding in a pickup truck when he crashed into an Audi SUV in Woodmere, near the intersection of Peninsula Boulevard and Edward Avenue, shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2021. Earlier Report: Speeding, Intoxicated D…
News
Update: Mom ID'd Following Alleged Drunk, Wrong-Way Crash That Killed Her Son On Long Island
This story has been updated. A mother is accused of causing a drunken, wrong-way crash on a Long Island highway that killed her 9-year-old son. The early-morning wreck happened on the Southern State Parkway, near exit 42 in Islip, at around 2:20 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. New York State Police said 32-year-old Kerri Bedrick, of Centerport, was driving an SUV west in the eastbound lanes when she caused a head-on crash involving four vehicles. When troopers arrived, they found Bedrick standing outside of her vehicle and found her 9-year-old son in the backseat with his seatbelt fastened. Tro…
Police & Fire
31-Year-Old Nabbed For DWI After Long Island Crash Kills Passenger, Hospitalizes Another
A Long Island man has been accused of driving drunk after a crash that killed a passenger and left another person seriously injured. Click here for a new, updated story -ID Released For Passenger Killed After DWI North Babylon Crash The suspect was driving a 1987 Ford Mustang in North Babylon on Bay Shore Road, near Duke Street, when the vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a pole at around 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, according to Suffolk County Police. A male passenger, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger, whose…
News
Drunk 21-Year-Old Crashes Into Vacant Business In Nassau County, Police Say
A 21-year-old man was hospitalized following a suspected drunk-driving crash into a vacant business on Long Island. The early-morning incident happened in Westbury, on Old Country Road near Carman Avenue, at around 2:40 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Nassau County Police said Aidan Schwartz, of Wantagh, was driving a Honda sedan when he crashed into a vacant building at 1137 Old Country Road. The building formerly housed a Pet Supplies Plus and Taco Joe’s. Officers removed Schwartz from the vehicle, and he was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. No other vehicles were involved and nobody el…
Police & Fire
Drunk 51-Year-Old Drove Wrong Way In Mineola With Child In SUV, Police Say
A Long Island man has been accused of being drunk with a child in his SUV after police say he was driving the wrong way. The incident happened overnight in Mineola. While on patrol at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, officers observed a black 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes on Jericho Turnpike, according to Nassau County Police. They then conducted a vehicle and traffic stop near the intersection of Jay Court. During the investigation, officers observed the operator of the vehicle, Carlos Palaguachi, age 51, of Bay Shore, to have slightly s…
Police & Fire
Unlicensed Levittown Woman Driving Drunk With 2 Kids Onboard Crashes SUV: Police
An unlicensed Long Island woman has been accused of driving drunk with two children in the SUV after an overnight crash, police said. The incident happened on Sunday, Aug. 11, just after midnight in Levittown. According to the Nassau County Police Department, officers responded to Flamingo Road after a report that a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee had hit an unoccupied parked vehicle. The investigation revealed the driver, Jessica Lemus, age 21, of Levittown, had slurred speech, watery eyes, was unsteady on her feet, and had an odor of alcohol emanating from her breath, police said. A Standardi…
News
Drunk Teen Who Killed 6-Year-Old 'Bright Light' On Long Island Sentenced To Prison
A 19-year-old man will spend years behind bars for a drunk driving crash that killed a young Long Island girl two days before her birthday. Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez, of Freeport, was sentenced to six to 12 years in prison in Nassau County Court on Monday, Aug. 5, in the death of Katerine Vanegas Hernandez. Prosecutors said Gutierrez was intoxicated and speeding when he ran a red light in West Hempstead, near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Westminster Road, at around 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 7, 2023. Earlier Report: Teen Admits Driving Drunk, Killing 6-Year-Old In West Hempstead …
News
Salon Crash: Alleged Drunk Driver Who Killed Off-Duty Cop, 3 Others In NY Charged With Murder
An alleged drunk driver who crashed his SUV into a New York nail salon, killing four people, including a police officer, was charged with murder. Long Island resident Steven Schwally, age 64, of Dix Hills, was formally indicted on four counts of second-degree murder, plus 24 other felonies and nine misdemeanors, in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Aug. 1 District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Schwally had just left a liquor store and was intoxicated when he crashed his SUV into Hawaii Nail & Spa, located in Deer Park on Grand Boulevard, going nearly 80 miles per hour on Friday, June 28…
Traffic
Fourth Of July Crackdown: Extra DUI Patrols To Monitor NY Roads Over Holiday Weekend
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that extra patrols will be on the lookout for drunk and drugged drivers over the Fourth of July weekend. Starting on Wednesday, July 3 at 6 p.m. and lasting through midnight on Sunday, July 7, New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols on highways across the state. The extra patrols will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving in an effort to curb impaired drivers and target other traffic infractions, Hochul said. “State Police and local law enforcement agencies will once again be out on New Y…
Obituaries
'Tragic Loss': Newlywed Officer Killed In NY Salon Crash Remembered For 'Bravery, Compassion'
Tributes are pouring in for a beloved NYPD officer who was killed alongside three others in an alleged drunk driving crash at a New York nail salon. Emilia Rennhack was off duty and getting her nails done when an SUV came barreling through the front window of Long Island’s Hawaii Nail & Spa, located in Deer Park on Commack Road, on Friday afternoon, June 28. Rennhack was pronounced dead at the scene alongside the salon’s owner, Jiancai Chen, age 37, of Bayside, Queens, according to Suffolk County Police. Also killed were Yan Xu, age 41, and Meizi Zhang, age 50, both of Flushing, Queens.…
Business
Salon Tragedy: Video Shows Alleged Drunk Driver Crash Into NY Business, Killing Cop, 3 Others
Newly released video shows the moment an alleged drunk driver crashed his SUV into a New York nail salon, killing four people, including a police officer, and injuring nine others. The Long Island incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 28, in the hamlet of Deer Park. Suffolk County Police said Steven Schwally, age 64, of Dix Hills, was speeding southbound through a Kohl’s parking lot, near Commack Road and Grand Boulevard, before he crossed Grand Boulevard and crashed through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa. Earlier Report: IDs Released Of 4 Killed, Including C…
Police & Fire
Fatal DWI: Woman Nabbed For Old Bethpage Crash, Police Say
A woman has been arrested on multiple charges including vehicular assault after she allegedly drove drunk in a crash that killed one man. The Old Bethpage incident occurred on Friday, June 28, Nassau County Police said. At approximately 7:20 p.m., 64-year-old Cheryl Bergenstock was driving a 2023 Subaru Forester on Round Swamp Road. Near the intersection of Winding Road, Bergenstock, who was allegedly drunk at the time, hit a 2019 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla’s driver, 82-year-old Alan Goldsand, was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Bergenstock, who is fro…
News
Vehicular Manslaughter: Man Indicted For Long Island Crash That Killed 'Gentle' Victim
A Long Island man was allegedly driving drunk when he hit a pole, killing one person who was remembered as a devoted father and injuring another. Elvin Maradiaga Ortiz, age 33 of Hempstead, was indicted on Tuesday, June 25 on charges including vehicular manslaughter, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Original Story: Man Arrested For Fatal Uniondale Crash, Victim Remembered As 'Gentle, Nurturing' At approximately 5:10 a.m. on the morning of February 24, Maradiaga Ortiz was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Jerusalem Avenue in Uniondale. The DA’s Office said…
Police & Fire
Freeport Woman Drives Drunk With 9-Year-Old Daughter In Vehicle In North Amityville: Police
A Long Island woman has been accused of driving drunk with a child in the vehicle. According to Suffolk County Police, the woman was driving a 2014 Audi Q5 northbound in North Amityville on Route 110, near Ritter Avenue, when she rear-ended one vehicle and collided with another, causing the Audi to overturn at approximately 5:40 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Her 9-year-old daughter was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for precautionary reasons. The driver of the vehicle that was rear-ended was transported to the same hospital for treatment of minor in…
News
'Nightmare:' Triple-Fatal Long Island DWI Crash Suspect Sentenced
The man who killed three family members, and injured three more, in a drunken crash will spend a lengthy stay in prison, authorities announced. Dante Lennon, age 23 of Freeport, was sentenced to six to 18 years behind bars on Monday, June 17, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Over two years before, on May 21, 2022, Lennon was drunk, driving his Mercedes Benz eastbound on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park. Earlier Report: Man Admits Driving Drunk, Killing Trio Leaving Party In New Hyde Park At about 11 p.m., as he drove about twice the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit, he…
Police & Fire
New Details Released After Justin Timberlake Nabbed For DWI In Hamptons
Singer Justin Timberlake has been released without bail after being held overnight on Long Island for alleged drunk driving charges. Clear here for a new, updated story - Mug Shot Released From Justin Timberlake's Overnight Stay In Hamptons Jail For DWI Charge Timberlake, age 43, of Franklin, Tennessee, was arrested around 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, after he was stopped driving a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Avenue, according to the Sag Harbor Village Police. Police said Timberlake failed to stop at a stop sign and for "failing to maintain his lane of travel." An investigation dete…
News
Nypd
Officer From Hudson Valley Accused Of Covering Up DWI
A New York Police Department (NYPD) deputy inspector has been indicted for allegedly covering up a drunk driving incident of himself and his girlfriend. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced on Friday, June 14, that Paul Zangrilli, age 44, of Rockland County, was charged with covering up the drunk driving incident in 2022. According to Bragg, Zangrilli allegedly allowed his girlfriend, Nikole Rupple, age 35, of New York City, to drive his unmarked NYPD-issued vehicle after they had both been drinking for several hours. Bragg said Zangrilli was in the passen…
News
DWI Driver Sentenced For Long Island Crash That Left Victim In Coma For Months
A Long Island man could spend over a decade behind bars for his role in a drunk driving crash that caused his victim to lose a leg and more. Twenty-nine-year-old Robert O’Brien faced his sentence of four to 12 years in prison on Monday, June 10, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Nearly three years prior, on July 16, 2021, O’Brien was driving his 2011 Chrysler 300 in Long Beach with two passengers. He had spent the day drinking at several area bars. Original Story: Man Admits To Long Beach DWI Crash That Left Victim In Coma For Months Near the intersection of East Pa…
Police & Fire
Freeport Man Drives Drunk With 3-Year-Old Son, Police Say
A man has been arrested on a charge of driving drunk when he got into a minor crash with a 3-year-old in his car, police said. It happened on Saturday, June 8 in Roosevelt, according to Nassau County Police. At about 9:50 p.m. that evening, 32-year-old Abidan Sorto-Benitez was driving his 2004 Honda Civic near the intersection of Branch Place and Conlon Road when he hit a curb, which rendered his car inoperable. Officers who arrived at the scene reported that Sorto-Benitez had glassy eyes and had breath that smelled of alcohol. He failed a sobriety test and was placed under arrest. So…
News
'Should Be Warning': Driver Admits Causing Long Island DWI Crash That Killed 25-Year-Old
A Long Island man formally confessed to causing a high-speed, drunk driving crash on the Fourth of July that killed his 25-year-old passenger. Leo Flores-Gracias, age 26, of Huntington Station, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, June 6, in the death of Marlon Nunez-Cuellar. According to prosecutors, it was around 8 p.m. on July 4, 2023, when Flores-Gracias and three others left a party in Huntington where they had been drinking alcohol. Earlier Report: Alleged Drunk Driver Charged With Manslaughter In Crash Killin…
News
Teen Admits Driving Drunk, Killing 6-Year-Old On Long Island
An 18-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple charges for his role in a drunk driving crash that killed a little girl two days before her birthday. Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez, age 18 of Freeport, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday, June 5 for the August 2023 incident, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. At approximately 2:20 a.m. on the morning of August 7, 2023, Bonilla Gutierrez was driving drunk and speeding east on Hempstead Turnpike when he ran a red light near Westminster Road. Original Report - Teen Drives Drunk, Kills 6-Year-Old In West Hempstead Crash: DA Th…
Police & Fire
Fatal Long Island Crash: 21-Year-Old Drove High, T-Boned Car, Fled In Police Car, DA Alleges
A young woman was indicted on charges including manslaughter for allegedly running a red light and crashing into a car, fatally wounding one person before fleeing the scene in a police cruiser. Rachel Lodice, age 21 of Jericho, faced her arraignment on Wednesday, June 4 for the Massapequa crash, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Original Report - Jericho Woman Driving Drunk Flees Fatal Massapequa Crash In Stolen Cruiser: Police On the evening of Tuesday, April 23, Lodice began driving her 2023 Kia Rio, heading south on Hicksville Road at a high rate of speed and under…
News
Memorial Weekend Busts: Hundreds Arrested In NY For DWI; Here's Breakdown By Region
New data from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office unveiled that state police arrested hundreds of people for drunk driving over Memorial Day weekend - and issued tens of thousands of tickets. Hochul released the data on Tuesday, June 4, just over a week after Memorial Day weekend, which saw extra state police enforcement and sobriety checkpoints in anticipation of drunk and distracted driving. “New York State has zero tolerance for drunk and impaired driving, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent the senseless tragedies that result from it,” Hochul said in a statement, adding that he…
News
Police To Target Speeding, Aggressive Drivers During NY Enforcement Crackdown
Speeding drivers, watch out — police in New York are set to crack down on aggressive motorists during a weeklong enforcement crackdown. The "Speed Week" enforcement initiative, which will begin on Monday, June 3, and continue through Sunday, June 9, will target speeding and aggressive drivers throughout New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. During the initiative, State Police will conduct additional patrols and actively monitor highway work zones to watch for drivers who violate New York's "Move Over" law. Troopers will use both marked and Concealed Identity Traffic Enfor…
News
Drunk 21-Year-Old Was Going 94 MPH When He Struck, 'Mauled' Long Island Man, DA Says
A 21-year-old man has been formally charged for an alleged high-speed, drunk-driving crash that seriously injured another motorist in a Long Island neighborhood. Ryan Wilson, of West Islip, was indicted on vehicular assault and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, May 31, stemming from a crash that occurred Saturday, March 9, in West Islip. Prosecutors said Wilson was intoxicated when his Tesla Model Y came speeding down West Islip Road at around 8:45 p.m. and slammed into another vehicle that was backing out of a driveway. Just moments before impact, he was driving upwards o…
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