Man Killed by Drunk Driver in Huntington Station: Police

A Huntington Station man was arrested Sunday night after police say he drove drunk and fatally struck a pedestrian with his vehicle.

According to authorities, Jose Gaitan, 48, was driving a 1999 Nissan Maxima southbound on Depot Road in Huntington Station when his vehicle struck a man who was attempting to run across the road near East 12th Street at 10:30 p.m.

Suffolk County Police helicopter airlifted Lucas Reyes, 31, of Huntington Station, to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Huntington Community FIrst Aid Squad also assisted in treating and transporting Reyes to the helicopter.

Gaitan was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. He is being held at the Third Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing, police say.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the Major Case Section at 631-852-6555.

Image via SCPD