Austin Richuitti, 19, was arraigned Thursday and left court on supervised release probation. A judge also suspended his license after calling the allegations that let up to the crash "mind-boggling."
Investigators say Richuitti swerved in and out of traffic, driving on the shoulder of the highway before striking the oil tanker, sending it into a wooded area.
The driver of the oil tanker, 24-year-old Timothy Abruzzo of Kings Park, is still hospitalized.
Richuitti faces charges, including driving while ability impaired by drugs, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
As part of his probation, Richuitti will have to submit to weekly narcotics testing. He is due back in court on Nov. 6.