Cops: Drunken driver caused 4-car crash

A Merrick woman was arrested and charged with drunken driving after she caused a four-car accident on the Southern State Parkway in North Massapequa Tuesday night and then tried to flee the scene on foot, police said.

Cheryl Laurino, 43, was transported to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow with minor injuries after the crash near Exit 29, Hicksville Road, at 11:16 p.m., police said.

Laurino, driving a GMC Suburban eastbound on the Southern, struck a Jeep Liberty from behind, police said. The Jeep then struck a Hyundai before crashing into the guardrail -- and ending up upside down on the guardrail and median.

The Suburban driven by Laurino then also rolled over the guardrail, crossing into the westbound lanes where, police said, it struck a Mazda.

Laurino then tried to run from the scene, police said, but was caught by two off-duty police officers who witnessed the accident. She was held for State Police, who arrested her.

The driver of the Jeep, whose identity was not released, also was taken to NUMC with a broken wrist.

Police said no other injuries were reported in the crash.

Laurino was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, felony driving while intoxicated -- due to a previous DWI conviction within the past 10 years -- and traffic violations, State Police said.