Hero Cop Takes Head-On Crash With Wrong-Way Drunk Driver to Protect Motorists: Police

SCPD mugshot: Steven Hennessy

PATCHOGUE, NY- A Suffolk County Police officer suffered minor injuries when a drunk driver plowed his van head-on into the cop’s car while the officer was attempting to protect other drivers from the van that was traveling the wrong way on Sunrise Highway early Thursday, police said.

According to police, Highway Patrol officers responded to eastbound Sunrise Highway following a 911 call regarding a vehicle traveling the wrong way at about 3 a.m.

In an effort to protect other eastbound motorists, Highway Patrol Officer Joseph Verdi responded and slowed traffic by activating his emergency lights and weaving between the lanes of travel, police said.

Verdi’s car was struck head-on by a 2012 Ford Van, driven by 43-year-old Steven Hennessy, just east of Nicolls Road, police said.

Verdi was transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was treated for minor injuries and released, police said.

Hennessy, of North Port, Fla., was not injured. He is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, second degree reckless endangerment and third degree reckless assault.