Man charged with DWI after Nesconset crash, cops say

A Lake Grove man faces a DWI charge after police said his car crossed into oncoming traffic Sunday night in Nesconset, hitting another vehicle head-on — injuring a 54-year-old Ronkonkoma woman and her 12-year-old daughter.

Suffolk County police said Danny Banegas, 37, of Hallock Road, faces arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date. He was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of what police called “non-life-threatening injuries.”

The woman and her daughter who were injured also were taken to Stony Brook with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Their identities were not released.

The extent of any injuries was not known.

Police said Banegas was driving a 2000 Acura eastbound on Middle Country Road, near Hillcrest Drive, when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck the 2014 Nissan Rogue at 5:30 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”