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The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 30, at approximately 1:20 p.m. in Manorville.
Austin Richuitti, a 19-year-old from Bellport, was driving a 2011 Cadillac at a high rate of speed westbound on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 69 when he collided with the rear of a 2010 International oil truck, according to Suffolk County Police.
The impact caused the truck to overturn into a wooded area.
Police say officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop a short time prior to the crash but Richuitti fled.
Richuitti was arrested and charged with:
- Driving while ability impaired by drugs,
- Reckless endangerment,
- Reckless driving.
The Cadillac was impounded for a safety check and the tanker was checked at the scene by Motor Carrier Safety Section officers.
Richuitti and the operator of the International oil truck, a 24-year-old Kings Park man, were transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in stable condition.
Richuitti will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.
Anyone with information is asked to call Major Case Unit detectives at 631-852-6555.
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