Wrong-way driver on LIE was drunk, Suffolk police say

A Bellerose man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated early Tuesday after police said officers responding to 911 calls about a wrong-way driver stopped him driving east in the westbound HOV lane of the Long Island Expressway.

Suffolk County police said they stopped Ivan Ceron, 23, of 237th Street, in his 2010 Nissan at 2:20 a.m. near Exit 52, Commack Road.

In addition to the DWI charge, Ceron was issued summonses for driving the wrong way, driving an unregistered vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle below the posted speed limit. He was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court, Central Islip.

Police said “multiple 911 calls” reporting the wrong-way driver alerted both highway patrol and canine section officers and said that canine section Officer Ralph Fuellbier was able to locate the Nissan being driven by Ceron, with highway patrol Officer John Pilkington ultimately making the arrest.

It was not immediately clear where police believe Ceron entered the expressway.

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.”