Drunk Driver Flees Scene of Sunrise Highway Crash That Critically Injures Man: Police

SPEONK, NY - Three people were hurt, one critically, after a crash caused by a drunk driver on Sunrise Highway in Speonk Sunday morning, State Police said.

Peter Ethier, 26, of Westhampton Beach, is charged with DWI, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, operating a vehicle without an interlock device and traffic violations.

Accoring to police, Ethier was driving a 2001 BMW at high rate of speed when it rear-ended a 2002 Ford, causing the Ford to roll over at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunrise Highway just east of Speonk-Riverhead Road.

All three people in the Ford were injured. The driver and backseat passenger suffered leg injuries and were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center. The front seat passenger sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition, police said.Police did not identify any of the people injured.

Ethier fled the accident scene on foot, but was located a short time later at his residence and taken into custody by troopers, police said.

Ethier is being held for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip.

Photo by Eastport Fire Department