Nassau Man Fled DWI Crash That Involved Police Car: NCPD

MERRICK, NY — A Nassau County man was arrested Tuesday morning after police say he caused a four-car crash while driving drunk and then fled the scene.

According to police, Ainlsey Bennett, 65, of Terrace Place, Uniondale, caused a four-car crash on Merrick Road in Merrick at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday. The last car to be hit was a marked Nassau County Police Department squad car on routine patrol. As the officer got out to investigate, police say Bennett began to flee the scene. The officer started to give chase on foot, but injured his ankle, police said.

When Bennett eventually stopped his car, police say other responding officers heard his speech was slurred and he was disoriented. The police administered sobriety tests and placed him under arrest.

Police say that Bennett was involved in two other crashes that morning: one at 11:25 a.m. in front of 1789 Sunrise Highway in Merrick, and one at 11:35 a.m. nearly Central Parkway and Merrick Road in Merrick. No one was injured in any of the crashes.

The police officer was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his ankle.

Bennett is charged with driving while intoxicated, second-degree assault and three counts of leaving the scene of an incident. He is scheduled to be arraigned later today.