Suffolk police: Speeding driver has 20 license suspensions

A traffic stop on a speeding driver in Islip Terrace late Wednesday led to the arrest of a Manorville man who was driving despite having 20 license suspensions, police said.

Kristopher O’Connell, 29, of Florence Drive, has had his driver’s license suspended 20 times — on 10 separate dates — since December 2005, Suffolk County police said.

He was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and issued summonses for speeding. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Highway Patrol Officer Zacarias Alvarado spotted the 2002 Ford Taurus being driven by O’Connell at “a high rate of speed” on westbound Sunrise Highway near Exit 46, Carleton Avenue, about 10:40 p.m., police said.

During his investigation after the traffic stop, police said, Alvarado determined that O’Connell had a suspended license — and made the arrest.

O’Connell was held overnight at the Third Precinct, police said.

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.”