Cops: DWI for correction officer in fatal crash

A correction officer at the Suffolk County jail faces drunken driving charges in connection with a motor vehicle accident in Riverside that killed an unidentified pedestrian Monday, authorities said.

Christopher A. Dean, 41, of Riverhead, a 15-year veteran officer, was arrested at the scene of the 12:30 a.m. crash near Flanders Road and Old Quogue Road and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Suffolk Sheriff Vincent DeMarco said Dean was also suspended from his job without pay for 30 days after he was arraigned on the charge Monday.

Southampton Police said Dean was driving a 2002 Mercedes that struck the victim, whose identity they are trying to determine.

Authorities described the victim as a middle-aged man who is about 5 feet tall with black hair. He was wearing tan cargo shorts, a gray polo shirt and white Ferrato sneakers.

Police said the Flanders Volunteer Ambulance Corps, state police and the Riverhead Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the accident -- and, the identity of the victim -- to call detectives at 631-702-2230.

--With John Valenti