Man accused of DWI following crash that damaged poles, signs in Copiague
Part of Montauk Highway was closed between Hawkins Avenue and Howard Boulevard.
A Central Islip man is behind bars after police say he was driving while intoxicated, leaving a trail of destruction along Montauk Highway.
Suffolk County police say 30-year-old Narayan Ramjatan was arrested following the crash, which happened around 1:30 p.m.
The crash left a truck heavily damaged, along with utility poles, street signs and scattered debris across the highway.
"I was just praying that no one was hurt," said Hursh Gandhi, manager of the South Bay Motel.
One witness, who did not want to appear on camera, said the truck appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash.
"This truck came flying by. He must've been going 100 mph. He was in the turning lane, then I lost him in the bend. Then I saw the accident afterwards,” the witness told News 12.
The damage stretched along Montauk Highway between Howard Avenue and Hawkins Boulevard, with debris and additional damage continuing about half a mile toward The Barn.
Gandhi said he heard the crash from the motel.
"The Ford was scratching down. Then there was a loud noise. A banging noise. We said, ‘What is happening?’ We saw outside, the car kept moving on that side,” Gandhi said.
Michael Licata, who lives in Copiague, said he heard the impact from inside a nearby building.
"I was in the back of the building over there and all I heard was a big boom. Then I came out front and saw this big mess over here with these poles and lights missing, and everything else,” said Licata.
Police and PSEG crews spent hours at the scene dealing with the damage. PSEG says two utility poles were damaged and will be replaced.
Licata says dangerous driving is a recurring problem along Montauk Highway.
"It happens around here quite often. Montauk Highway, they fly around here all the time. I think we've had six pedestrians hit this year."
