NY officer injured by drunk driver - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

NY officer injured by drunk driver

Posted: Updated:

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (AP) - A Long Island police officer was injured when his vehicle was rear-ended by a drunk driver.

It happened in Patchogue while Suffolk County police were conducting a follow-up investigation Sunday at the scene of a fatal car crash a day earlier.

Officer Brian Smales placed his car, with emergency lights on, on the right shoulder of the Sunrise Highway outside the lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a 2012 Chrysler struck the rear of his cruiser.

Police say Salvatore Distefano, was arrested at the scene and charged with DWI, assault and violating the state's "Move Over Law." He was later treated at a hospital for facial lacerations and released. Information about his lawyer wasn't immediately available.

Smales was treated at a hospital for head, neck, back and leg injuries and released.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Powered by WorldNow

KTTV FOX 11
1999 S. Bundy Dr.
Los Angeles CA 90025

Main: (310) 584-2000
News Tips? (310) 584-2025

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices