Driver Who Fled To Poland After Fatal North Fork DWI Crash Extradited Back To United States: DA

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A former Riverhead resident and Polish national has been extradited back to the United States to face charges after a Cutchogue crash led to a woman's death, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Adam Chrzanowski, 45, was extradited back to the United States from Poland to face charges related to his March 2022 arrest, the DA said.

He has been accused of driving while intoxicated and triggering a head-on, multiple car collision, Tierney said.

Elizabeth Post, 60, of Massapequa, a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in the crash, died of her injuries, Tierney said.

Chrzanowski fled the country in March 2024 after he was indicted, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on March 6, 2022, at about 6:04 p.m., Chrzanowski was driving a 2021 Toyota RAV4 eastbound on Route 25 in Cutchogue when he reportedly crossed over the double yellow lines attempting to overtake another car, Tierney said.

Chrzanowski then crashed head-on with a 2019 Nissan Rogue that was in the westbound lanes of Route 25, in which Elizabeth Post was in the front passenger seat, the DA said.

Two other vehicles went off the roadway and spun out of control due to the collision, Tierney said.

The driver of the Nissan Rogue suffered multiple fractures to his spine, clavicle, sternum, ribs, and leg; Post required several surgeries for severe internal injuries and fractures, Tierney said.

As a result of injuries sustained in the crash, she passed away on September 12, 2022, Tierney said.

On December 21, 2022, the DA said, Chrzanowski was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge Stephen L. Braslow for charges including three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, Class B felonies; one count of second-degree manslaughter, a Class C felony; one count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a Class D felony; five counts of aggravated vehicular assault, Class C felonies; two counts of second-degree assault, Class D violent felonies; one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony; two counts of driving while intoxicated, Class E felonies; and one count of reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor, the DA said.

On March 10, 2024, while the case was pending, Chrzanowski reportedly boarded a plane from JFK Airport and flew to his native Poland to allegedly avoid prosecution on the matter, Tierney said.

On March 25, 2024, a bench warrant was issued for his failure to appear on the pending indictment, the DA said.

Chrzanowski was thereafter indicted for first-degree bail jumping — and with the assistance of federal and Polish authorities, he was ultimately returned to the United States, Tierney said.

On Monday, Chrzanowski was arraigned on the new indictment charging him with first-degree bail jumping, a Class D felony, before County Court Judge Bryan Browns, the DA said.

Browns ordered Chrzanowski remanded without bail until his next court appearance on April 8, the DA said.

He faces eight and a third to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count, and two and a third to seven years in prison for the separate indictment charge of bail jumping, the DA said.

Chrzanowski is being represented by Christopher Gioe, who did not immediately return a request for comment.

"This defendant’s alleged dangerous and deadly choice to drive drunk caused the death of Elizabeth Post, who was simply headed home after visiting her grandchild," said Tierney. "When it was finally time to face the charges for his actions, he allegedly fled the country. I thank the Department of Justice, the United States Marshal Service’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Southold Police Department for helping bring this defendant to justice."