Holbrook man charged with DWI in Sunrise Highway crash in Oakdale that seriously injured woman
James Hober, 59, of Holbrook, is charged with driving while intoxicated in a crash that shut down the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway in Oakdale on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. Two van passengers were taken to a hospital, one with serious injuries. Credit: Stringer News Service / SCPD
A Holbrook man faces a drunken driving charge after his vehicle rear-ended a minivan and seriously injured its passenger on Sunrise Highway early Sunday morning, Suffolk County police said.
James Hober, 59, was driving his 1999 Volkswagen when it crashed into the back of the minivan shortly after 2 a.m., causing the minivan to hit a guardrail and flip over, police said.
The collision occurred in Sunrise Highway's eastbound lanes in Oakdale, west of Locust Avenue. The eastbound lanes were closed for several hours as police investigated, but have since been reopened.
JoAnne Barbato, 49, of Centereach, a passenger in the 2005 Chevrolet minivan, suffered serious head, chest and arm injuries. She was rushed to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.
Richard Mascia, 51, of Holbrook, who was driving the van, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Southside Hospital.
Hober, of 1457 Claas Ave., was charged with driving while intoxicated. He will be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, police said.
Suffolk police said they impounded both vehicles for safety checks and are continuing to investigate. They asked that anyone who witnessed the accident call Suffolk's Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
