A Freeport man was indicted Thursday for allegedly driving under the influence of oxycodone and cocaine when he struck and seriously injured a U.S. postal worker on Merrick Road in October 2025, Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly announced.
Jeffrey Butt, 45, was arraigned on charges, including second-degree assault, vehicular assault, multiple counts of driving while ability impaired by drugs, reckless driving and criminal possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court March 5.
Prosecutors say Butt veered onto the shoulder around 10:40 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2025, crashing his SUV into a 50‑year‑old postal worker who was loading his truck. The impact pushed the mail truck into two parked cars. Police found Butt still in the driver’s seat with his foot on the gas.
The victim suffered severe injuries, including a fractured femur requiring a metal rod, a fractured ankle, spinal fractures, and significant internal bleeding. He remains out of work.
Officers recovered pills, glassine envelopes, a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia at the scene. Blood tests later confirmed oxycodone and cocaine in the defendant’s system.
If convicted on the top charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.