Plow vs. car in Great Neck

Instead of helping Great Neck drivers digging out from this week's snow, a North Hempstead snowplow made things worse.

The Town of North Hempstead plow was trying to keep the streets clear at about 5 p.m. Thursday when it slid sideways on the ice and snow clogging Terrace Circle in Great Neck. It clipped two parked cars, including the 2006 black Nissan Maxima owned by Ernie Richstein.

"My neighbor told me, 'You have to come out quick! A plow just hit your car,' " said Richstein, 63, an automotive parts salesman. "I said 'oh shoot!' and I ran down there."

Richstein said his side mirror had been knocked off. The front and rear fenders, and front and rear doors also were damaged, he said. The plow driver had tried to get the plow to move, repeatedly hitting the car in the process, according to video of the accident. The plow had to be towed away from the accident.

"The driver of the plow was apologetic," Richstein said. "Accidents happen, but at least nobody was hurt."

Still, he said the accident could have been prevented if the road had been plowed earlier in the day, instead of so late in the evening.

"I never had a problem parking on the street," Richstein said. "There are plenty of spots on the street. They always do a good job plowing, but this time they didn't."

Collin Nash, spokesman for the Town of North Hempstead, said once the town receives property damage claims from the car owners, the town attorney's office will process and review the claims.

"The town will fully meet any and all legal and compensation obligations in regard to this matter," Nash said.