Kenneth Hamilton, 47, of Wading River was arraigned Thursday morning on DWI charges in a crash that injured a Riverhead police officer who was in his cruiser late Wednesday evening.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. The DA says Hamilton told officers he had been drinking before the crash.
Court documents show Hamilton’s blood alcohol level was .17 after drinking at a local brewery.
Police say a Riverhead police officer was injured while he was responding to a call on Wading River Manor Road around 10:34 p.m. Wednesday. Police say a driver couldn't see in Wednesday night's fog, missed a turn, and went off the road.
While one of the officers on the scene was in his cruiser running the paperwork on that accident, another driver, 47-year-old Kenneth Hamilton of Wading River, hit the cruiser.
Both the police car and Hamilton's car were badly damaged in the accident.
The officer was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Hamilton was released on his own recognizance, and his license was taken away. He is expected back in court later this month.