Police: 7-Year-Old Girl Seriously Hurt After Drugged Driver Hits Minivan

A 7-year-old girl suffered a fractured skull and facial injuries after a man high on drugs crashed into the back of the minivan the girl was riding in with her mother and older brother, police said.

The mother and brother suffered minor injuries in the crash that occurred on Route 111, south of Route 347, in Hauppauge around 7:15 p.m.

According to police, 21-year-old Brandon Cumberbatch, of Ridge, was driving a 2002 Chevy Impala south on Route 111 when his vehicle struck a 2008 Toyota minivan driven by Arunima Singh, 40, who was also traveling southbound on Route 111.

The crash occurred in front of 525 Route 111, near the Wendy’s restaurant. Cumberbatch’s vehicle then veered onto the shoulder, over the curb and into the parking lot of the Hauppauge Plaza and struck an unoccupied parked vehicle, police said.

Singh and her son, Avaneesh, 18, and daughter Bhaswi, 7, were transported via Hauppauge Rescue to Stony Brook University Hospital. The mother and her son were treated for minor injuries. Bhaswi is in serious condition.

Cumberbatch was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. He was transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown for observation. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

The vehicles were impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Vehicular Crime Unit detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call them at 631-852-6555.

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