Chevy v. Dodge v. Ford

An Oceanside man was arrested on a felony drunken driving charge due to a prior conviction after he swerved into oncoming traffic and onto the shoulder on the afternoon of May 13. 

John S. Hart, 67, was driving a 2002 Infiniti sedan west on Pantigo Road, near Amy’s Lane, when he drove over the double yellow center lane markings, and swerved into the shoulder, according to East Hampton Town police.

The officer noted in his report that there was a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, his speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and he was unsteady on his feet. He performed poorly on a field sobriety test, police said.

Because he was convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Town of Southampton in 2012, East Hampton police charged him with felony D.W.I. He was held overnight for arraignment. 

Justice Steven Tekulsky released him on $5,000 cash bail on May 14.

In East Hampton Village, a 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and causing a four-car accident on the afternoon of May 16. 

Joseph G. Field of East Hampton was traveling east on Woods Lane in a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck when he rear-ended a 2001 Dodge pickup truck at about 3:50 p.m. The Dodge hit a 2010 Ford that was stopped in traffic by the Georgica Road intersection, which in turn hit the 2011 Dodge sedan in front it.

Emergency medical technicians were treating Mr. Field when a police officer interviewed him. Police said in a report that his speech was slurred, he seemed lethargic, and he was having trouble keeping his train of thought. Though he was placed under arrest, East Hampton Village Volunteer Ambulance did take him to Southampton Hospital for evaluation, where he was hospitalized. 

Village Police Detective Sgt. Greg Brown said prescription drugs — not prescribed to him — were found in his possession. A blood test will determine whether he was on those drugs or something else at the time of the accident. The detective said Mr. Field submitted to a blood test.  

Ultimately, he was charged with the following: operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs in the first degree, a misdemeanor, seventh-degree misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance — as police found prescription drugs in his possession — and four traffic violations; speeding, uninspected motor vehicle, following too closely, and unsafe tires. 

He was released at the hospital and was to be arraigned at a later date. His vehicle was impounded. 

A 39-year-old from East Hampton was found asleep behind the wheel of his car and arrested on a misdemeanor D.W.I. 

Jose Armando Verdugo-Avila pulled over in his 1996 Ford on Springs-Fireplace Road and fell asleep. A town police officer, who came upon his car — still running — at about 6:15 p.m., said he appeared intoxicated when they woke him up. He performed poorly on all field sobriety tests. 

He was released on $500 bail. 

Jonathan P. Llivicota, 25, of East Hampton also faced a charge of misdemeanor D.W.I. this week. 

According to police, he was driving a 2006 Jeep south on Springs-Fireplace Road, near Cedar Ridge Drive, when he crossed over the pavement markings Saturday at about 2:45 a.m. During a traffic stop, he appeared intoxicated and performed poorly on the field sobriety tests.