Whitestone Expressway crash: DWI charge for LI driver; friend critical

A Lindenhurst woman has been charged with driving while intoxicated, and the friend who came to her aid is in critical condition after being struck by a passing car and thrown off an elevated Queens highway, the NYPD said.

Four cars were involved in the pileup on the Whitestone Expressway early Saturday, police said. Among those involved in the crash were an EMT from Long Island and an NYPD lieutenant.

Police said Samantha Maloney, 22, was driving a 2014 Nissan north on an elevated portion of the Whitestone near Grand Central Parkway at about 5 a.m. when her car crashed into the wall.

Maloney called her female friend, also 22, who came to the scene to help her and pulled up behind her in a 2015 Dodge, police said.

A third driver in a 2008 Chevy — whom FDNY officials confirmed to be an off-duty EMT — saw Maloney’s vehicle on the side of the road and pulled over to offer assistance, parking in front of her at an angle, said Israel Miranda, president of the local union for Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Inspectors.

Moments later, a 2013 Jeep driven by the off-duty NYPD lieutenant struck the EMT, the Dodge and the 22-year-old victim who was outside her vehicle. She was thrown over the wall, a drop of about 23 feet, and taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Queens in Flushing with serious injuries, police said.

Miranda, who identified the EMT as Christopher Pierce, 34, said he suffered a broken arm and was treated and released.

“He’s a great guy,” Miranda said. “If he wasn’t in the city limits he wouldn’t have a duty to act because he’s a city employee, but for him it wouldn’t matter; he pulls over and he does what he has to do because he can.”

Police said the driver of the Jeep, who was not identified, had only minor injuries and was not expected to be charged.

Maloney was not injured. She was taken to the 112th Precinct, where she was given a Breathalyzer test.

A police spokeswoman said Maloney had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol, and was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. It was not immediately known when she will be arraigned.