Driver Indicted After Head-On, High-Speed DWI Crash That Left Multiple People Injured: DA

FLANDERS, NY — A Riverhead man was indicted Wednesday after a head-on crash in Flanders that left multiple people injured, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Erik Yat Velasquez, 22, was indicted on a charge of aggravated vehicular assault and other related charges after reportedly crossing into the opposing lanes of traffic while intoxicated at a high rate of speed on Quogue Riverhead Road — causing a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in multiple injuries, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on November 29 at about 7:46 p.m., Yat Velasquez was driving a 2015 Jeep northbound on Quogue Riverhead Road at a high rate of speed when he crossed over the double yellow lines, sideswiped one vehicle, and then crashed head-on into a second car, Tierney said.

The two occupants of the first vehicle, as well as Yat Velasquez’s own passenger, were transported to a local hospital for treatment for their injuries, the DA said.

The two occupants of the vehicle that was struck head-on were also transported to a local hospital, where they were treated for serious physical injuries, the DA said. The driver of that vehicle sustained a fractured clavicle and punctured lung, he said. The passenger sustained a fractured arm, internal bleeding, and a serious head injury, all of which required multiple surgeries, Tierney said.

Currently, the passenger does not have vision in one eye, the DA said.

Yat Velasquez was also taken to a hospital for medical treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash, the DA said.

Law enforcement observed Yat Velasquez displaying signs of intoxication, and he was placed under arrest by the Southampton Town Police Department, the DA said.

On February 4, Yat Velasquez was arraigned before County Court Judge Bryan L. Browns on charges contained in the indictment including three counts of aggravated vehicular assault, Class C felonies; two counts of second-degree assault, Class D violent felonies; three counts of first-degree vehicular assault, Class D felonies; two counts of second-degree vehicular assault, Class E felonies; three counts of third-degree assault, Class A misdemeanors; one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor; two counts of DWI, unclassified misdemeanors; and one count of reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor, the DA said.

Judge Browns ordered Yat Velasquez to be placed on supervised release and suspended his license, the DA said.

He is due back in court on March 3 and faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count, Tierney said.

He is being represented by Anthony Rutkoswki, who was not immediately available for comment.

"The defendant’s alleged decision to drink and drive caused significant injuries to many people in this case," said Tierney. "The charges brought forth in this indictment reflect the severity of the defendant’s actions and my office’s continued commitment to protect the public from reckless and dangerous drivers. Impaired or intoxicated driving will not be tolerated on our roadways."