Man arraigned on DWI charge in crash that killed grandfather

A Mastic man, who police say was driving drunk when he crashed into another car, killing his grandfather, was ordered held on $250,000 bond or $100,00 cash bail at his arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Gary Hendricks, 45, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the crash.

Hendricks had been driving a 1999 Suburban west on Sunrise Highway in East Patchogue around 5:15 p.m. Monday when he struck the back of a 1997 GMC pickup, went onto the shoulder and overturned several times, police said. His grandfather, Isaac Beal, 77, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in his car was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital and is still in critical but stable condition, police said.

Court papers show Hendricks told police he had been released from prison in North Carolina recently and was not supposed to drink as part of his parole. He said he had two 16-ounce Budweisers before he got behind the wheel, according to court papers, which also show Hendricks' blood-alcohol level was 0.16 percent based on a blood test, which was twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.