Police: Father High on Drugs Crashes Car With 2 Young Children Inside

A 44-year-old North Bellport man was high on drugs when he crashed his SUV with his two young children inside Wednesday in Holtsville, police said.

According to police, Kevin Nichols was driving a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer that was pulling a small utility trailer full of household items southbound on Nicolls Road, south of Portion Road when Nichols lost control of the vehicle and it overturned around 6 p.m.

The Farmingville Fire Department responded to the scene, with Chief Allen Licatta confirming that one passenger was trapped in the vehicle. The crew of Rescue 8 arrived and quickly cut free the passenger.

Nichols, his two sons–ages 1 and 2–and an adult passenger in the SUV were all taken to Stony Brook University Hospital. The children were evaluated, but did not appear injured, police said. Nichols and the adult passenger were both admitted to the hospital.

The children were released to a family member.

Nichols is charged with aggravated DWI with a child 15 years or younger–a felony under Leandra’s Law, driving while ability impaired by drugs and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He will be arraigned at a later date.

Reporting/photos/video by Bryan Lopez