Farmingdale man driving drunk hits baby in stroller and grandfather, police say
Anthony R. Valenti, 56, of Farmingdale, faces charges, including drunken driving, after a grandfather and his grandson, age 2, were hit Saturday evening, May 2, 2015, Nassau County police say. Credit: NCPD
A Farmingdale man is being held in lieu of a $7,500 cash or bond after being charged with drunken driving when his car struck a 69-year-old man pushing his 2-year-old grandson in a stroller in Bethpage Saturday, Nassau police said.
The grandfather and his grandson, who were not identified by police, were both injured. Police said the child suffered what appeared to be minor injuries to the head, face and arm. The grandfather injured his left foot and ankle and suffered neck and back pain.
Both victims were admitted to a hospital, police said.
Authorities identified the driver as Anthony R. Valenti, 56, of 209 Birch Ave. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, two counts of assault, reckless driving and failing to use care to avoid a pedestrian. Police said his blood alcohol level was .08 percent, the state standard for intoxication. He was being held in the Nassau County jail following his arraignment at First District Court in Hempstead.
According to a police report, Valenti was driving his 2013 Nissan Murano sport utility vehicle southbound on Broadway around 6:50 p.m. As he made a left turn on to Central Avenue to go east, Valenti struck the two victims in a crosswalk on Central Avenue, police said.
Police said the stroller became lodged under the vehicle which continued westbound for one block before coming to a stop at the corner of North Windhorst Avenue. The baby and stroller were removed from under the vehicle by a passerby.
The vehicle was impounded for a brake and safety check.
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