A Nassau police officer is fighting for his life after another driver slammed into his patrol car Sunday morning in Plainview.Authorities say Officer Kenneth Baribault had just pulled over an SUV with a suspected drunken driver and was filling out paperwork in his car when a silver car slammed into his cruiser near exit 46.
"From what I'm told from witnesses, the impact of that car propelled the officer's car into the car that was stopped and also lifted the rear of the patrol car a good 6 feet off the ground," says Nassau Detective Lt. Kevin Smith.
The rear wheel of the cruiser's driver's side now touches the seat where Baribault was sitting. An off-duty firefighter saw the aftermath and jumped over the barrier to help Baribault.
"[He] brought his first aid kit with him, rendered whatever aid he could, grabbed the officer's radio and summoned immediate assistance," says Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey.
Responders rushed the officer to Nassau University Medical Center, where doctors operated on his brain due to a blood clot and removed a portion of his skull to allow for swelling.
Family, friends and fellow officers are praying for the three-year force veteran, who has a 6-year-old child.
Authorities say the driver who allegedly slammed into Baribault, 27-year-old Rahiem Griffin, was also drunk and has a suspended license. Both drivers are expected to be arraigned Monday, May 19.
Neither of the suspected drunken drivers or a passenger in the SUV that was pulled over were seriously injured.