Smithtown, NY - June 14, 2014 - Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for driving while intoxicated after he was involved in a fatal crash in Smithtown early this morning.
Thomas Stavola was driving a 2013 Audi, traveling northbound, when he struck a 2009 Mercedes traveling westbound at the intersection of E. Main Street at approximately 3:55 a.m. The woman driving the Mercedes, Monica Peterman, 45, of Middle Island, was transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, where she died from her injuries. Stavola, 54, of Setauket, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with minor injuries.
Suffolk County Vehicular Crime Unit detectives charged Stavola with Driving While Intoxicated. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on June 15.
The vehicles were impounded for safety checks. The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.