A Suffolk County police officer from Babylon has been indicted for allegedly driving while intoxicated and hitting a pedestrian, who was seriously injured.
On June 22 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Alexander Vargas was allegedly driving a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro above the speed limit southbound on New York Avenue in Huntington Village when, at the intersection of New York Avenue and Carver Street, he allegedly struck a 28-year-old man who was attempting to cross the street.
Suffolk County Police officers responded to the scene within minutes and found Vargas a block away from the crash site, sitting in his parked car. He was allegedly determined to be intoxicated and was placed under arrest.
The victim was transported to Huntington Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries, which included fractures to his clavicle, hand, finger and cervical spine and a head laceration that required staples.
On September 29, Vargas, 30, was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge James McDonaugh, for one count of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony; and two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, both unclassified misdemeanors.
McDonaugh ordered Vargas’ license to be suspended and released him without bail because both charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
Vargas is due back in court on November 13 and faces one-and-a-half and four years in prison if convicted on the top count.
“Impaired driving and reckless behavior behind the wheel are not tolerated in Suffolk County, regardless of the defendant’s occupation,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “The safety of our community’s pedestrians and motorists depends on our collective commitment to responsible driving, and we will not waver in upholding that standard.”