Prosecutors: Man admitted drinking, using drugs before head-on crash with officer

<p>The New Hyde Park man who crashed head-on into a Nassau County police officer's vehicle on New Year's Day had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit, according to prosecutors.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 2, 2018, 11:07 PM

Updated 2,295 days ago

Share:

The New Hyde Park man who crashed head-on into a Nassau County police officer's vehicle on New Year's Day had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit, according to prosecutors. 
Prosecutors say Keith Dillon, 29, was driving his Dodge Durango south on Glen Cove Road in Greenvale around 2:20 a.m. They say he allegedly swerved and ended up riding the center median before slamming into Officer Willard Gomes' unmarked patrol car – throwing it about 50 feet into another car.
During his hospital bedside arraignment at Nassau University Medical Center, prosecutors said Keith Dillon told police at the scene that he had been at a number of establishments before the crash. 
They say he told them he had six to eight glasses of wine, shots of Jameson whiskey and multiple beers. 
Officials say he also admitted to taking medicinal marijuana at some point in the night. In his truck, prosecutors say there were two bags of Xanax and what appeared to be cocaine residue.
Police say Gomes suffered bleeding on the brain, a broken vertebra in his neck, a broken arm and leg and other serious injuries. 
The Nassau PBA president released a statement that said in part, "I would like to commend Officer Gomes for his commitment to the department and for putting his life on the line during one of the busiest nights of the year for drinking and driving. Our prayers are with him and his family during this time of crisis and we hope he will fully recover as quickly as possible."
Dillon pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular assault, reckless assault, DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $100,000.


More from News 12
1:45
West Islip H.S. student to face a judge over accusations of bringing gun, bullets to school

West Islip H.S. student to face a judge over accusations of bringing gun, bullets to school

2:49
Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

0:30
Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

0:40
More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

2:05
‘Wastewater Olympics’ held today in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

‘Wastewater Olympics’ held today in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

1:50
Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured