Ronkonkoma Man Charged With DWI in Fatal Patchogue Crash

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An Oakdale man was killed early Thursday morning in a one-car crash in Patchogue, police said.

The man was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Ronkonkoma resident Joseph Keleher, who police said was driving while intoxicated.

According to police, Keleher, 24, was driving a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo east on Baker Street when he lost control of the vehicle as it crossed over Rider Avenue, hit a curb, went up on a grass embankment, overturned and came to a stop on Edwards Street at 12:01 a.m.

The passenger, Kevin Smith, 25, was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported via Patchogue Fire Department Ambulance Company to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Patchogue where he was pronounced dead.

Suffolk County Vehicular Crime Unit detectives arrested and charged Keleher with DWI. He was held overnight at the Fifth Precinct and will be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555.

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