Roadway Scuffle on C.R. 39

An East Hampton Village police officer on his way to assist the Suffolk County district attorney’s driving-while-intoxicated task force in Southampton on Saturday evening ended up being called to duty a little earlier than expected. 

As Officer Steve Niggles was driving to Southampton Town police headquarters, he saw police  trying to subdue a man — later identified as Joseph McBride, 26, of East Hampton — in the middle of County Road 39. 

Traffic across four lanes, in both directions, came to a standstill while police struggled with him. The scuffle lasted nearly 10 minutes, and bystanders jumped in to help. Three officers were reportedly injured. 

Mr. McBride was charged with second-degree assault, public appearance under the influence of a narcotic or drug, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. 

No further information was available by press time.