Errant Van Hits HomeGoods | The East Hampton Star

A Danbury, Conn., man was arrested on a drunken-driving charge after an accident Friday night in which he hit the HomeGoods building in Wainscott, East Hampton Town police said.

Johannatan Arturo Merchan-Heras was headed west on Montauk Highway in a 2003 Chevrolet van when it left the road just west of Wainscott-Northwest Road around 11:50 p.m. The van hit a utility pole on its front passenger side, then a street sign, before heading over a cement curb, hitting a concrete-filled metal pole and a water meter, then an electrical panel, and finally the building. Police found the driver standing near the van, which was registered to him. There were no passengers. He complained of head pain, but was not taken to the hospital, according to the police report. He performed poorly on all field sobriety tests and was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, as his blood alcohol level was above .18, police said.

East Hampton Town Justice Lisa R. Rana released him on $300 bail following an arraignment Saturday morning.

Drivers, Cyclist Were Hurt

Four people were assessed by responders from the Montauk Fire Department, but declined further treatment, after they were struck by a woman trying to park her Honda sedan near the Montauk Brewing Company. Also in Montauk, a Volvo S.U.V. struck an e-bike on Main Street, resulting in injuries to the 13-year-old bicyclist.

Jul 31, 2025

On the Police Logs 07.24.25

A caller reported three youths lying “in the middle of Suffolk Street,” next to a black S.U.V., at around 3 in the morning on July 14 in Sag Harbor. The three told police they were waiting for a friend and were out on the street because their vehicle had no air-conditioning.

Jul 24, 2025

Crash on Napeague Stretch

Toyotas were on a tear this week, with four accidents on local roads resulting in injuries.

Jul 24, 2025

Felony Charges in Three Arrests

East Hampton Town police made three late-night arrests last week, all of them ending in felony charges, from assault to forgery to drug possession.

Jul 24, 2025

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.