Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 54-year-old Centereach man has been indicted on multiple felony charges after prosecutors say he drove drunk through a marked road closure on the Long Island Expressway and struck a New York State Department of Transportation worker, leaving the victim with severe injuries. Joseph Kalinowski was formally indicted this week in connection with the February 26 crash that seriously injured Randy Acum, a DOT worker who was assisting with debris cleanup at the time of the collision.
According to prosecutors, Kalinowski was intoxicated when he drove past the clearly marked road closure and struck Acum on the LIE. The impact left the DOT worker with life-altering injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a fractured arm, according to officials. Acum had been performing his duties helping to clear debris from the roadway when the crash occurred in what should have been a protected work zone.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office has brought extensive charges against Kalinowski, reflecting the severity of the incident and the defendant’s alleged intoxicated state. The charges include aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault, assault, aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, reckless endangerment and reckless driving. The multiple charges indicate prosecutors believe Kalinowski’s actions went beyond simple impaired driving to endangering workers in an active construction zone.
Kalinowski is scheduled to return to court on June 3 for further proceedings in the case. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 15 years in prison, according to court officials. The potential lengthy sentence reflects New York State’s enhanced penalties for crimes committed against highway workers and the aggravated nature of the vehicular assault charges.
Additional reporting has revealed that Randy Acum, the injured DOT worker, served as a local union vice-president, according to News 12. This detail underscores the impact the crash has had not only on Acum and his family, but also on his colleagues and the broader community of highway maintenance workers who put themselves at risk daily to maintain Long Island’s roadways.
The February incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by DOT workers and other highway maintenance personnel who must work in active traffic zones. Despite safety protocols including road closures and warning signs, workers remain vulnerable to drivers who ignore safety barriers or operate vehicles while impaired. The serious nature of Acum’s injuries - particularly the traumatic brain injury - demonstrates how these workplace incidents can result in permanent, life-changing consequences for victims and their families.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway, one of the region’s most heavily traveled highways connecting Nassau and Suffolk counties. The LIE carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily and is a critical transportation artery for Long Island commuters and commercial traffic. Highway work zones on the LIE are particularly dangerous due to the high volume of traffic and the speeds at which vehicles typically travel on the expressway.
DOT workers regularly perform maintenance, debris removal, and construction activities along the LIE, requiring temporary lane closures and work zones that rely on driver compliance with posted signs and barriers. The expressway’s busy traffic patterns make these work zones inherently hazardous, even under normal circumstances when all drivers are sober and alert.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The indictment represents a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against Kalinowski, moving the case from initial charges to formal felony counts that could result in substantial prison time. The range of charges suggests prosecutors have built a comprehensive case addressing both the DWI aspects and the aggravated nature of striking a highway worker in a protected zone.
The June 3 court date will likely involve arraignment on the indicted charges and potentially plea negotiations or trial scheduling. Given the severity of the victim’s injuries and the multiple felony counts, the case appears headed for significant legal consequences regardless of whether it proceeds to trial or resolves through a plea agreement.
Broader Impact
New York State has enhanced penalties specifically for crimes committed against highway workers, recognizing the particular vulnerability of DOT employees and construction workers who must perform their duties in active traffic zones. The potential 15-year maximum sentence in this case reflects these enhanced penalties, which are designed to deter impaired drivers from endangering the safety of workers who are essential to maintaining the state’s transportation infrastructure.