DWI charge after driver hits snow bank

A Hampton Bays man faces a drunken driving charge after driving his Jeep into a snow bank early Friday in Southampton, State Police said.

A trooper saw a black Jeep stuck in the snow on Bellows Pond Road near State Route 24 at about 1:10 a.m., according to a police news release.

During an interview the Jeep's driver, Christopher Vaca, 21, of 9 Huckleberry Lane, appeared intoxicated, police said. Vaca, who police said had told the trooper he lost control and drove into the snow, was arrested.

Vaca produced a breath-analyzer reading of .25 percent, and a vehicle search also revealed Vaca to have a small amount of marijuana, police said.

Vaca is charged with DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana and several traffic violations, police said. He is due to appear in the Town of Southampton Court on Feb. 9.