Cops: Driver, high on drugs, arrested after Southern crash
Joseph Desantis, 51, of Wantagh, has been charged with driving while impaired by drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle; both are felonies because he has a previous DWI conviction in the last 10 years, police said. (Nov. 18, 2013) Credit: NYS Police
A Wantagh man was high on drugs Monday when he rear-ended another car on the Southern State Parkway in North Wantagh and then struck a utility pole, injuring himself and the other driver, State Police said.
Joseph Desantis, 51, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle; both are felonies because he has a previous DWI conviction in the last 10 years, police said.
He is due back in First District Court in Hempstead on Dec. 16, police said.
DeSantis was driving a Ford west on the parkway near Route 107 at about 8:39 a.m. when he rear-ended an Acura then drove onto the shoulder and hit the utility pole, according to a news release.
Troopers dispatched to the scene said DeSantis was evaluated for drug use and was arrested. He also is charged with several traffic violations.
Both DeSantis and the driver of the Acura were taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage with minor injuries.
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