SCPD: Man Arrested for DWI and Leaving the Scene after Crash Injures Pedestrian
Patchogue, NY - October 15, 2018 - Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Sunday, October 14 for driving while intoxicated after he struck a pedestrian with his vehicle and then drove away from the scene.
Roberto Ortez was driving a 2005 Nissan Armada westbound on Main Street in Patchogue when he struck a 30-year-old East Patchogue man who was crossing the street near the intersection of North Ocean Avenue at approximately 2:07 a.m. Ortez continued driving westbound for approximately 1/8 mile when he rear-ended a Ford Expedition and then struck a utility pole near River Avenue.
Both the East Patchogue man and Ortez were transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of minor injuries. The driver of the Ford was not injured.
Ortez, 38, of Mastic, was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident. He was held overnight at the Fifth Precinct and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.