Cops: Driver in crash with bus was drunk

A Hempstead man was drunk and driving with a suspended license Sunday when he slammed into two cars and an MTA passenger bus on Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale, forcing the bus into the wall of a McDonald's restaurant and injuring himself and two other drivers, Nassau County police said.

Richard Santiago, 42, of 25 Peninsula Blvd., was driving a 2003 Ford Econoline van east on Hempstead Turnpike at about 9:21 p.m. As he approached Uniondale Avenue, police said his van hit a 2004 Mercury and a 2011 Mazda, continued on the roadway and then hit a 2010 Orion MTA passenger bus, police said.

The bus then hit an exterior wall of the McDonald's. Police said there were no injuries to either the employees or customers at the restaurant.

The driver of the bus -- which did not have any passengers -- had facial and knee injuries, police said. The 51-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital.

Also injured was the driver of the Mercury, a 27-year-old man, who went to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Police had no updated information on the status of the injured as of Monday morning, including the condition of Santiago, who was transported to the hospital with a head injury.

The driver of the Mazda was not injured, police said.

Police said their investigation revealed that Santiago was driving while intoxicated. He faces a charge of DWI, two counts of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, unlicensed operation and uninsured motor vehicle.

Police said Santiago would be "arraigned as soon as practical."