Woman Leaving Babylon Church Struck By Drunk Driver: Police

BABYLON, NY – Three people were hurt, including a 76-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries, when a drunk driver's pickup truck hit a parked SUV and then veered onto a church walkway full of people leaving an evening Mass Saturday in Babylon, police said.

According to police, 27-year-old Anthony Parrinello was driving a 2005 Ford F250 south on North Carll Avenue in front of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at about 6:25 p.m. when his vehicle struck a parked 2011 Nissan Pathfinder and then continued onto the church walkway, striking a woman who was among a large number of people leaving the church after having attended Mass.

The pickup truck continued southbound, striking and knocking down a statue before coming to a stop in front of St. Joseph’s Nursery School, police said.

Nancy Ruff, of West Babylon, was transported by Babylon Rescue Squad ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for treatment of serious injuries. Michael Pepe, 40, and Harper Pepe, 3, both of Babylon, were occupants of the parked Nissan. They were transported to Good Samaritan for treatment of minor injuries.

Parrinello, of Babylon, was arrested and charged with DWI. He was not injured in the crash. Parrinello was held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip Sunday.

The investigation is continuing and detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash, including cellphone video, to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152.

Google Maps image of where the crash occurred Saturday evening.