3 arrested after large group of ATV and quad riders drive through Suffolk, police say

Three people among a large group of riders on ATVs and dirt bikes driving through Suffolk County were arrested Sunday and charged with traffic violations, authorities said.

Riverhead police received multiple calls at around 3:50 p.m. of about 50 to 100 people riding ATVs and dirt bikes through the town, Sgt. Jonathan Devereaux said.

He said the officers were trying to corral the group, but the riders were "extremely uncooperative."

Devereaux said a 45-year-old male, whose quad slid off the road, was arrested and charged with operating a quad in a public roadway as well as numerous other vehicle and traffic violations. He was given an appearance ticket and released.

Suffolk County police officers also responded to two motor vehicle crashes involving ATVs at about 4 p.m., while assisting Riverhead police, according to a statement from Suffolk County police.

The first crash was reported at 3:59 p.m. on Ridge Road in Ridge when the driver of the ATV was involved in a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Whiskey Road. The 15-year-old driver was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for nonlife threatening injuries, Suffolk County police said.

He was charged with reckless driving and released on a ticket to appear at Suffolk County Family Court on a later date.

The second crash was reported on Rocky Point Road in Rocky Point at about 4:05 p.m. when the driver of an ATV "lost control and became disabled", Suffolk police said. No injuries were reported.

Dominic Avarello, 20, of Massapequa, was charged with reckless driving and released on a ticket to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

All three ATVs were impounded.