Police: Drunk Taxi Driver Assaulted Officer in Smithtown

A taxi driver assaulted a state trooper who was attempting to arrest the driver on a DWI charge Thursday night in Smithtown, State Police said.

Police say they received complaints of an erratic black sedan with taxi lettering (Arrow Island Limo) on the northbound side of the Sunken Meadow Parkway near Jericho Turnpike at 11 p.m.

A trooper was able to locate and stop the vehicle, a black Ford Fusion, which was driving over 70 mph and moving from the shoulder back through the lanes of traffic, police said.

While interviewing the driver, 41-year-old Aristides Vasquez, of Brentwood, the trooper detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, police said.

Vasquez failed sobriety tests and was about to be taken into custody when he began to resist arrest and assaulted the trooper, police said.

The trooper was able to place Vasquez into custody with the help of a passing motorist, police said.

Vasquez is charged with second degree assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, DWI and several traffic violations.

Vasquez was held for arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip Friday.