Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Seriously Injures Police Officer: Cops

GREENVALE, NY – A Nassau County Police officer is in the hospital being treated for serious injuries after an alleged drunk driver crashed into his unmarked patrol car in Greenvale early New Year's Day.

According to authorities, Willard Gomes, a Third Precinct officer assigned to a holiday DWI patrol, was driving north on Glen Cove Road at about 2:23 a.m. when a pickup truck being driven south by 29-year-old Keith Dillion crossed into the northbound lanes near Back Road and collided with Gomes's car head-on.

Police needed to cut open Gomes's car to free the 12-year veteran of the force. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for serious injuries, including severe head trauma/brain injury, broken vertebrae, a fractured neck, a broken left arm, a broken left leg, a broken left eye orbital, lung contusions and missing teeth. He is listed in serious but stable condition.

An investigation at the scene determined that Dillion, of New Hyde Park, was driving while intoxicated and was taken into custody, police said. Dillion also had a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and is being treated for a broken left ankle.

Dillion is charged with second-degree assault, second-degree vehicular assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance and DWI. He will be arraigned when it's medically practical.

"I would like to commend officer Gomes for his commitment to the department and for putting his life on the line during one of the busiest nights of the year for drinking and driving arrests," said Nassau PBA President James McDermott, who visited Gomes in the hospital Monday. "Our prayers are with him and his family during this time of crisis and hope he will fully recover as quickly as possible."