Cops: Driver charged with DWI after blaming passenger

A motorist who drove drunk and crashed his car on the Southern State Parkway told troopers that he wasn't the driver and blamed his passenger instead, State Police said Wednesday.

Rayshaun Dingle's Mercedes crashed just after 4:45 a.m. Tuesday into a guardrail near Exit 17, Hempstead Avenue, in Malverne, but by the time troopers arrived, the car's two occupants were standing outside, State Police spokesman Frank Bandiero said.

Dingle, 22, of Valley Stream, told troopers he was the passenger and that the other person was the driver, Bandiero said.

When the car's other occupant also said he was the passenger, troopers determined that Dingle had lied, police said.

A strong odor of alcohol emanated from Dingle's breath, and he eventually admitted to troopers that he'd been at the wheel, police said.

Dingle complained of pain and was treated at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre and released, police said.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated, obstructing governmental administration and other traffic violations. He was given an appearance ticket for Jan. 31 at Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead.

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