Cops: Drunken driver hits police car on LIE
John McNamara, 21, of Highland Mills, N.Y., was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene and other vehicle and traffic law infractions after a brief pursuit on the LIE in Plainview, police said. (Aug. 6, 2013) Credit: NCPD
An Orange County man is under arrest, charged with a hit-and-run drunken driving accident after he sideswiped a marked Nassau County police car on the Long Island Expressway in Plainview late Tuesday -- and then fled, police said.
John McNamara, 21, of 6 Highview Ct. in upstate Highland Mills, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an incident and five other vehicle and traffic law infractions after a brief pursuit on the eastbound expressway.
The crash occurred near Exit 48 at 11:31 p.m., and police said McNamara was stopped and arrested by the officer he struck near Exit 49 in Melville.
Police said McNamara was traveling "in excess of the posted speed limit" on the eastbound LIE when he "drifted onto the shoulder portion of the roadway," sideswiped the marked patrol unit, which was stopped on the shoulder, and fled. Police did not release the identity of the highway patrol officer involved, but said he was not injured.
At arraignment Wednesday, bail for McNamara was set at $1,500 cash or $3,000 bond. He was represented by Legal Aid and is due back in court Friday.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
