Cops: Driver in LIE wrong-way crash was drunk

Two Long Island drivers collided on the Long Island Expressway early Monday as one of them, who was later charged with drunken driving, drove the wrong way, police said, causing a head-on collision and explosion that left both men in critical condition.

Dave Richards, 30, of Hempstead, and John Rey, 64, of Greenlawn, were taken to New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens in Flushing after the 6 a.m. crash between Exits 24 and 25, the NYPD said.

Police said Richards was drunk and speeding when he drove a Mercedes west on the eastbound side of the highway and crashed into Rey, who was driving a Super Shuttle, which transports passengers to and from the airports. There were no passengers inside at the time.

Richards faces charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment.

The relatives of both drivers could not be reached for comment.