Skip to main content

I’m Not Going to Pass the Test’

Thu, 05/23/2019 - 07:22



East Hampton Town police arrested two 23-year-olds on drunken-driving charges over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Both were said to have cooperated fully with the officers.

Carlos Serra-Bencosme of Montauk was pulled over on Edgemere Road there early Monday morning. Police said his 2014 Kia was swerving across lane lines.

“I’m not gonna lie. I had like, four beers,” the officer quoted the driver as saying. At police headquarters in Wainscott he consented to take the breath test, which produced a reading of .14 of 1 percent. A reading of .08 is the legal limit.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Mr. Serra-Bencosme has lived in the Town of East Hampton for nine years and is a legal resident of the United States.

“You were driving when you weren’t supposed to,” Justice Steven Tekulsky told him at his arraignment that morning, noting that the defendant’s license had been suspended twice for failure to respond to a court summons. In addition to drunken driving he was charged with aggravated unlicensed driving and having an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the car, along with the traffic infraction.

Friends and family were in the courtroom for his arraignment, and quickly posted at the court clerk’s window the $250 bail amount set by Justice Tekulsky.

Wendy Quintero of East Hampton was arrested at about 6:30 Sunday morning, outside an Oakview Highway residence. Police had received a call about a suspicious vehicle, and said they found Ms. Quintero passed out behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet, the engine running.

“I drove here from Amagansett,” she told the arresting officer. “If you are going to arrest me, just arrest me. I know I’m not going to pass the test.”

At headquarters, police said her blood-alcohol content tested at .12. She was released without bail that afternoon, with a future date in court.

 

A Correction

In an article on the arrest of Jacqueline and Jason Cobb by East Hampton Town Police on Nov. 18 on grand larceny charges, it was incorrectly stated that they live in Calverton. Mr. Cobb moved to Calverton several weeks ago. Ms. Cobb lives in Springs.

 

 

 

Justice Irace: ‘You Are a Risk’

A 67-year-old East Hampton woman accused of driving her car into two teenage traffic control officers in Sag Harbor Village on May 17 pleaded not guilty to four charges — endangering the welfare of a child, harassment in the second degree, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless endangerment — when she was arraigned Friday in front of Village Justice Carl Irace. 

Jun 12, 2025

Left-Hand Turns Went Badly

Negligent left turns were blamed for two recent vehicle collisions that resulted in injuries, and a negligent merge for a third.

Jun 12, 2025

Vehicle Drives Into Sag Harbor Restaurant

A silver Honda attempting to park Monday afternoon in a handicapped space in front of the restaurant Lulu in Sag Harbor drove over the curb, onto the sidewalk, and into the building, knocking aside tables in the outdoor seating area. 

Jun 5, 2025

Wielding a Samurai Sword

With a black Samurai-style sword in hand, a 33-year-old man from Newburgh, N.Y., allegedly threatened another man on Saturday night near Camp Hero on Coast Artillery Road in Montauk. His target locked himself in his car and called police as the sword-wielder approached. 

Jun 5, 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.