Man Drove While Ability Impaired By Drugs Before 4-Vehicle Crash: PD

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Middle Island man was arrested and charged with driving while impaired by drugs after a high-speed, four-vehicle crash on County Road 39 in Southampton Wednesday morning, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, the crash took place at 10:32 am. on County Road 39 west of Tuckahoe Road. The driver of a 2019 Nissan was speeding east on County Road 39 when he crossed over into the westbound lane, striking a 1995 tractor-trailer, then came back to the eastbound lane, striking a 2021 dump truck and hitting a 2011 Audi, police said.

Jason Manigault, 20, was the only person injured in the crash, police said. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, then arrested by Southampton Town Police and charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired by drugs, as well as violations, police said.

The Southampton Fire Department was dispatched to the crash; Southampton Volunteer Ambulance requested the fire department to respond due to leaking fuel from the tractor trailer, fire officials said. The tractor trailer involved was leaking diesel fuel and the fire department was tasked on stopping the leak from going into the street drain, Chris Brenner, public information officer for the Southampton Fire Department said.

Crews were dispatched to help with traffic control; the Hampton Bays Fire Department was asked for help with traffic control, as well, Brenner said. County Road 39 was fully closed from Tuckahoe Road to Hill Station Road for about three hours; the road was still closed westbound at 3:15 p.m., he said. Chief Alfred Callahan was in charge for the Southampton Fire Department and Chief Joseph M. Riccardi took the lead for the Southampton Volunteer Ambulance, Brenner said.