Hauppauge man charged with driving while high

A Hauppauge man stopped March 2 for not wearing his seat belt while driving on the Northern State Parkway in Commack was high on drugs, State Police said Monday.

Matthew Bounaparte, 41, of Schneider Lane, was stopped by troopers at about 4:20 p.m. as he drove a gray Nissan westbound on the parkway, according to a news release.

Bounaparte had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, and troopers detected an odor of marijuana coming from the car, the release said.

As Bounaparte left his vehicle for a sobriety test, he lunged at one of the troopers and a struggle ensued, police said. Troopers were able to handcuff Bounaparte, who was spitting and screaming, the release said.

Police found two Vicodin pills on Bounaparte, the release said.

He is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, harassment and several traffic violations, police said.

Bounaparte is being held on bail of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear Friday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Update: In 2013, Bounaparte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving while ability impaired by drugs, court documents show. He was sentenced to 3 years of probation and paid a fine, according to court records.