Port Washington schools Superintendent Michael J. Hynes pleads not guilty to DWI after crash that seriously injured motorcyclist

Port Washington schools Superintendent Michael J. Hynes, a prominent Long Island educator who was set to leave his post next month, pleaded not guilty to a DWI charge on Monday, a day after police said he was driving while intoxicated when he crashed into and seriously injured a motorcyclist in Sayville.

Hynes was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment before Judge Evan Zuckerman in Central Islip.

Police said Hynes, 53, of Sayville, was driving a 2019 Honda Civic north on Railroad Avenue before attempting to make a left on Depot Street and crashing into a 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle heading south at about 9:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Alberto Fernandez, 63, of Sayville, who was operating the motorcycle, was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of serious injuries, according to police. Hynes also was taken to the same hospital for minor injuries.

After the arraignment, Hynes' attorney, John Halverson, noted that police said the motorcyclist was "traveling at a very high rate of speed" and said there are witnesses that can attest to that.

"He is a very good family man," Halverson said outside the courtroom. "We look forward to challenging these charges and we look forward to a positive outcome."

Hynes refused a preliminary breath test at the scene, but consented to a blood test at the hospital, his attorney said.

Results of the blood test are pending, according to the judge.

Police said both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and Hynes was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct.

Hynes is a well-known advocate for "whole-child education," which nurtures all areas of a child's development.

Before taking the top role in Port Washington, he was superintendent of the Patchogue-Medford and Shelter Island school districts.

Port Washington school officials on Monday named Chris Shields, the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources and leadership development, as acting superintendent, according to the district's outside spokesman, Ron Edelson.

"They are aware of the incident that occurred last evening and are gathering additional information," Edelson said.

Edelson said Shields will remain in the position moving forward and district officials will discuss Hynes' future, and provide an update to the community.

Port Washington school board president Adam Smith, in a letter to the community, said the district is "actively working to gather all relevant information to fully understand and address the situation."

Hynes announced earlier this month that he would be leaving the district Dec. 13. He told Newsday at the time that he was leaving to spend more time with his family and to pursue an opportunity in the private education sector.

"Through deep reflection of wanting to spend more time with my family, and this opportunity, I made the very hard decision to leave, but I’m also excited for what lies ahead," Hynes said at the time.

Halverson said he did not have additional information regarding Hynes' private sector role. 

During his five-year tenure in Port Washington, Hynes was credited with helping to increase the graduation rate at Paul D. Schreiber High School to 98.9% for the 2023-24 school year. That amounted to a 4 percentage point increase over when he started the job.

He earned $352,421 last school year, Newsday records show.