Driver Flees Scene After 2-Car, Head-On Crash: PD

FLANDER, NY — A Flanders man was arrested after fleeing a two-car, head-on crash in July, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, the crash took place on Sunday, July 30, at 9:03 p.m. on County Road 104 near County Road 105 in Flanders. Two drivers, headed in opposite directions, collided head-on, causing injury to two occupants of one of the motor vehicles, police said.

The driver of the other involved motor vehicle removed the rear license plate from his vehicle, then left the scene of the crash without first reporting it to anyone, "all in an apparent attempt to avoid detection and responsibility for his/her actions," police said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene and those injured were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

After a lengthy police investigation, the driver who fled was located at his residence uninjured; he admitted to his role in the crash and that he consciously left the scene without first reporting it to anyone, police said.

Edin G. Vargas, 23,was arrested and charged with second-degree obstruction of government administration, a misdemeanor; leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that caused physical injury, a misdemeanor; second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; and numerous other traffic infractions, police said.

Vargas was transported to Southampton Town police headquarters where he was processed, then
released on a field appearance ticket with a future arraignment date, police said.