Officer Hospitalized After Drunken Driver Resists Arrest in Nassau: Police

A police officer was hospitalized after a Long Beach man was pulled over for DWI and began punching officers to resist arrest in Lynbrook on Thursday night, authorities say.

According to police, Lynbrook police officers pulled over a gray 2003 Honda after they saw it run a red light at Peninsula Boulevard and Olive Place at 7:46 p.m.

Officers noticed the driver, identified as 26-year-old Jose Ponce-Castro, had glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, police say.

Police attempted to place Ponce-Castro under arrest, but the man allegedly resisted by flailing his arms and punching three officers. Police were able to place him under arrest after several minutes.

One officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of left shoulder pain and lacerations to his shin and forearm. He was treated and released. The other officers were not injured.

Ponce-Castro is being charged with second-degree assault, DWI, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, obstruction of government administration, failure to obey a red traffic signal and unlicensed operator. He will be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department