Police Tow Truck Operator Aids in Arresting Impaired Driver

LongIsland.com

Suffolk County Police have arrested a Medford man for driving while ability impaired by drugs after a police tow truck operator observed the man driving recklessly and notified officers over the police radio.

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Suffolk County, NY - January 6, 2015 - Suffolk County Police have arrested a Medford man for driving while ability impaired by drugs after a police tow truck operator observed the man driving recklessly and notified officers over the police radio.

Evidence Recovery Tow Operator Raymond Langert was driving a Suffolk County Police tow truck westbound on the Long Island Expressway when he observed a 2013 Hyundai moving erratically across all lanes of travel, nearly striking the center cement barrier and other vehicles, near exit 62 just prior to 11 a.m. on January 5. Langert put a description of the vehicle and the plate number over the police radio and Highway Patrol Officer Thomas Joy responded, locating the vehicle near exit 57.

Officer Joy turned on his vehicle's lights and sirens in an attempt to pull over the vehicle, however the driver ignored the officer's attempts. Highway Patrol Officer Glen Ritchie also responded and, along with Officer Joy, stopped the vehicle near exit 53.

Officer Joy determined the driver, Ronald Terlizzese, was under the influence of drugs and Terlizzese, 49, of 5 Poplar Ave., was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs 1st Degree and issued seven summonses for various vehicle and traffic violations. Terlizzese was arraigned this morning in First District Court in Central Islip.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.