Memorial Day weekend DWI checkpoint nets 12 arrests, cops say

Twelve people were arrested by Suffolk County police at a sobriety checkpoint in North Patchogue overnight into Saturday.

The checkpoint at the start of Memorial Day weekend was set up at the Sunrise Highway North Service Road at Waverly Avenue by the Suffolk County police highway bureau, along with Fifth Precinct officers and the New York State Police from 11:10 p.m. Friday to 3:20 a.m. Saturday, a news release said.

A total of 991 vehicles went through the checkpoint — conducted to prevent injuries and fatalities associated with driving while impaired by alcohol and or drugs — netting the dozen arrests, police said.

Those charged with driving while intoxicated ranged in age from 25 to 59 and included residents of East Islip, Holtsville, East Northport, Lindenhurst, Bellport, Port Jefferson, East Patchogue, West Babylon, Central Islip, Copiague, Islip Terrace and Bay Shore, police said.

Among those arrested was a Bellport artist, Peter Zorzenon, 59. Zorzenon was arrested exactly one year earlier and charged with DWI following a crash on Sunrise Highway in North Amityville.

Zorzenon pleaded guilty May 11 to misdemeanor DWI and vehicular assault and was released on his own recognizance. He was set to be sentenced on those charges Sept. 7.

All 12 are to be arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip.

With John Asbury