Charges Upgraded Against Suffolk Cop Involved in Fatal Wrong-Way Sunrise Highway Crash

A Suffolk County Police officer faces upgraded charges in a September wrong-way crash on Sunrise Highway that took the life of a 37-year-old man, according to court records.

Robert Scheuerer, 24, has been indicted by a grand jury on numerous new charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.

Newsday first reported the upgraded charges Friday morning.

Prosecutors say Scheuerer had a blood alcohol content of .17, more than twice the legal limit, after the crash on the morning of Sept. 27. Scheuerer is also charged with aggravated DWI.

According to police, Scheuerer was driving his 2000 Nissan Pathfinder eastbound in the westbound lanes on Sunrise Highway when the SUV slammed into a 2016 Ford van just east of Route 231 in West Islip. The van caught fire, and Brian J. Fusaro, of Bay Shore, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scheuerer, who was off duty at the time, was seriously injured in the crash. He was initially only charged with reckless endangerment as authorities investigated.

Scheuerer has been suspended without pay from the police department.

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