Driver Charged After Striking Someone With Car During Altercation: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Center Moriches man was arrested and charged with assault after he hit someone with his vehicle during an altercation in Riverhead, police said.

According to Riverhead police, the incident took place on Wednesday, June 22, at 7:18 p.m. at an East Main Street apartment complex. A 911 caller said an unknown man with a pipe was near a Mercedes Benz in the parking lot and a person in a vehicle was about to strike people, police said.

Officers could not immediately locate the involved vehicle as the driver had left the scene before police arrived, authorities said.

Riverhead detectives responded to investigate; an injured person was located, who said that he was in an altercation with another male who'd stuck him with the vehicle, police said.

Brandon Smith, 38, was the driver of the vehicle that struck the person, causing injury that required treatment at Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said.

On Tuesday, June 28, at 7:14 a.m., Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, a felony; second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor; and multiple traffic violations, including leaving the scene of an accident with injury, police said.

Smith was held for arraignment in Riverhead Justice Court, police said.