18°Good afternoon
Firefighters work at the scene where two Long Island drivers...

Firefighters work at the scene where two Long Island drivers collided on the Long Island Expressway between Exits 24 and 25 early Monday as one of them, who was later charged with drunken driving, drove the wrong way, police said, causing a head-on collision and explosion that left both men in critical condition. Credit: Photo by Vic Nicastro/New York Daily News

Two Long Island drivers collided on the Long Island Expressway early Monday as one of them, who was later charged with drunken driving, drove the wrong way, police said, causing a head-on collision and explosion that left both men in critical condition.

Dave Richards, 30, of Hempstead, and John Rey, 64, of Greenlawn, were taken to New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens in Flushing after the 6 a.m. crash between Exits 24 and 25, the NYPD said.

Police said Richards was drunk and speeding when he drove a Mercedes west on the eastbound side of the highway and crashed into Rey, who was driving a Super Shuttle, which transports passengers to and from the airports. There were no passengers inside at the time.

Richards faces charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment.

The relatives of both drivers could not be reached for comment.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

      Totally tubular trips ... LI Works: Talking turkey ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      Duration 0:00
      Loaded: 0%
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time 0:00
       
      1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • captions off, selected
          Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

          Totally tubular trips ... LI Works: Talking turkey ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

          SUBSCRIBE

          Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

          ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME