Police: Drunken-driver plowed into snowbank

A Southampton man who was found asleep at the wheel of his Jeep Saturday morning after it had plowed into a snowbank faces a felony drunken-driving charge, Southampton Town police said.

Police said Brendan McConnell, 58, drove into a mound of snow about 12:30 a.m. near Roses Grove Road and Middle Line Highway in Southampton, police said.

A passing motorist called police about McConnell's Jeep Cherokee stuck in the snow, according to a release. When police arrived, they found McConnell asleep at the wheel.

"Further investigation revealed that the operator . . . was operating his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for driving while intoxicated," the release said.

Because McConnell has a previous conviction for drunken driving within the past 10 years, his DWI charge is a felony, police said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Saturday in Southampton Town Justice Court.