2 Hurt In Wrong-Way Drunk Driving Northern State Crash: Police

Two people were hurt, including an alleged drunk driver, in a wrong-way crash on the Northern State Parkway Monday morning, state police said.

According to police, troopers received a call at 4:06 a.m. for a driver, later identified as 51-year-old Christine A. Shefts, traveling north in the southbound lanes of the Wantagh State Parkway. Troopers were dispatched to try to intercept the driver. Additional 911 calls said the car had entered the Northern State Parkway, traveling east in the westbound lanes, police said.

The troopers, all driving with their emergency lights on, changed from lane to lane attempting to block the car, police said. However, Shefts drove past them and struck a second vehicle head-on, police said.

Troopers determined that Shefts, of East Meadow, was intoxicated and she was charged with DWI, police said. Shefts was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for minor injuries. She is being held for a hospital bedside arraignment, police said.

The driver of the second car involved in the crash suffered a minor hand injury, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the wrong-way driver or subsequent crash are asked to call the New York State Police at 631-756-3300.

Photo: New York State Police