Two drivers arrested after separate crashes into utility poles in Southampton Town, police say

Two drivers -- one from Bridgehampton, the other from Riverside -- were arrested following separate East End crashes into utility poles Sunday and early Monday, Southampton Town police said.

Rafael M. Horcasitas, 53, was arrested at his home in Bridgehampton, after police said he crashed his pickup truck into a pole on Sag Harbor-Bridgehampton Turnpike at 6:34 p.m. Sunday, then fled the scene.

Nelson Alvardo, 41, was arrested after police said he crashed into a pole while turning from Bellows Pond Road onto Flanders Road in Hampton Bays at 1:20 a.m. Monday.

A passenger in that accident was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Police said Horcasitas was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, circumventing an interlock device, unlicensed operation, leaving the scene of an accident and with violating conditions of his license. Police said he did not have an ignition interlock device installed on the vehicle, as required by a court order.

The accident forced closure of the road for about three hours, as workers repaired the downed pole, police said.

In the second crash, police said Alvardo was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated and unlicensed operation. He also was cited for traffic infractions.

Horcasitas and Alvardo both face arraignment Monday.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”