Man Faces Drunk Driving Charges After Crashing Car into Stepson

A man from Long Island faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI) after reportedly crashing his vehicle into his 13-year-old stepson at approximately 5:50 p.m. Monday, September 4, in Centerport.

According to police, the 42-year-old man was driving his 2017 Jaguar when he hit the teenager, who was walking the family’s dog near their home. The man then crashed the vehicle into a pole after hitting the stepson. The boy had to be airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for a broken leg. Fortunately, the family’s next-door neighbor is a trauma surgeon and provided immediate assistance.

The man’s nine-year-old stepson was also with him in the vehicle at the time of the accident. He was transported to Huntington Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Neither the man nor the dog suffered injuries.

The man was charged with aggravated DUI with a child passenger 15 years or younger and endangering the welfare of a child. He fully cooperated with police and admitted to having several vodka drinks beforehand. He was released on $10,000 bail and court-ordered to stay away from his two stepchildren.

Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous

Anyone who is convicted of a DUI offense faces serious penalties, including fines and loss of their driver’s license. However, a DUI causing injury or one with a young child in the vehicle — both of which were elements of this case — adds an element of aggravation that could lead to jail time and major fines for the person convicted.

It’s worth noting that these penalties are separate from any civil action the offender may face due to his or her negligence. This could come in the form of a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, meet with an experienced Long Island auto accident lawyer at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP to learn more about your options.