Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A Nesconset man was arrested on driving while intoxicated charges after a serious crash in Dix Hills early Friday morning that left a 21-year-old driver hospitalized with severe injuries, according to Suffolk County police.
Wesley Sitar, 45, of 4 Audubon St. in Nesconset, was driving a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck eastbound on East Jericho Turnpike when his vehicle struck a 2010 Volkswagen at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Friday, April 3, police said. The collision occurred at the intersection of East Deer Park Road and East Jericho Turnpike in Dix Hills.
The driver of the Volkswagen, Maxx Waite, 21, of Oakdale, was attempting to make a left turn onto East Deer Park Road from westbound East Jericho Turnpike when the impact occurred, according to police reports. The force of the collision caused serious injuries to Waite, who was immediately transported to Huntington Hospital for emergency treatment.
Sitar was also taken to Huntington Hospital following the crash, though police said his injuries were minor compared to those sustained by the younger driver. The 45-year-old Nesconset resident was treated at the hospital before being processed on the intoxicated driving charge.
Both vehicles involved in the crash sustained significant damage and were impounded by police for mandatory safety inspections, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. The early morning collision shut down the busy intersection as emergency responders worked the scene and investigators began documenting the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Sitar has been charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with the incident, police confirmed. The timing of the crash, occurring in the early morning hours when bars and restaurants typically close, raises questions about the driver’s activities prior to getting behind the wheel of the pickup truck.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred at the intersection of East Jericho Turnpike and East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills, a heavily traveled corridor that serves as a major east-west route through central Suffolk County. East Jericho Turnpike, also known as Route 25, is a primary thoroughfare that connects numerous Long Island communities and experiences heavy traffic throughout both daytime and evening hours.
This particular intersection in Dix Hills sees significant vehicle volume as drivers use East Deer Park Road to access residential neighborhoods and connect to other major roadways in the area. The early morning timing of this crash, at 2:20 a.m., occurred during typically low-traffic hours, though the intersection remains active with late-night commuters and service vehicles.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Second Squad detectives have taken over the investigation and are actively seeking additional information about the circumstances leading up to the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is being asked to contact the investigating team at 631-854-8252.
Sitar is scheduled to be arraigned on Saturday, April 4, at First District Court in Central Islip, where he will face the driving while intoxicated charge, police said. The arraignment will determine bail conditions and set the timeline for future court proceedings in the case.
Broader Impact
DWI charges in New York carry serious consequences, including potential license suspension, substantial fines, and possible jail time, particularly when the intoxicated driving results in serious injury to another person. The severity of injuries sustained by the 21-year-old victim could potentially influence the level of charges and penalties Sitar faces as the case moves through the court system.