A Suffolk County cop is facing up to four years behind bars for allegedly driving drunk and slamming into a 28-year-old pedestrian while off-duty, prosecutors said Monday.
Alexander Vargas, 30, was indicted on charges of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated in the early-morning June wreck in Huntington Village that left an unidentified pedestrian with serious injuries to his head and spine, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.
“Impaired driving and reckless behavior behind the wheel are not tolerated in Suffolk County regardless of the defendant’s occupation,” Suffok DA Ray Tienery said in a statement.
“The safety of our community’s pedestrians and motorists depends on our collective commitment to responsible driving, and we will not waver in upholding that standard.”
According to prosecutors, Vargas was behind the wheel of a 2012 Chevy Camaro around 2:30 a.m. on June 22 when he struck the pedestrian at the intersection of New York Avenue and Carver Street.
The victim, who suffered fractures to his clavicle, hand, finger, cervical spine and head, was taken to Huntington Hospital and treated for his injuries.
Cops responding to the wreckage allegedly found Vargas drunk and sitting in the parked car, and took him into custody on assault and drunken driving charges, the DA’s office said.
Vargas was suspended without pay, following his arrest, and had his driver’s license suspended at his arraignment on the indictment Monday, prosecutors said.
Police did not immediately respond to a request for information on Vargas’ current status.
He was released without bail because the offenses are not bail-eligible under the state’s criminal justice reforms and is due back in court on Nov. 13.
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