Suffolk police are saying the man responsible for a fatal drunk driving accident in Riverhead is a repeat offender.

Police say 26-year-old Joseph Lago was driving an SUV near Tanger Mall Sunday morning when he crashed on a Long Island Expressway ramp. Three passengers were thrown from the vehicle, and 18-year-old Elizabeth Gilbert of East Quogue and 23-year-old Francisco Nunez of Medford were killed. Police say Lago was driving with a suspended license after two DWI convictions.

Safe driving advocates say accidents like these could be prevented if penalties for drunk drivers were tougher. Senator Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick) recently introduced legislation calling for mandatory jail time for repeat offenders.