PSEG worker driving utility truck in Farmingdale charged with DWI

A PSEG Long Island employee driving a company truck in Farmingdale early Friday was arrested and charged with aggravated driving a utility truck while intoxicated, according to Nassau Police and court documents.

Just after 1 a.m. Friday, Eighth Precinct police received a call about a "highly intoxicated" man "driving a PSEG truck that hit a street sign," police said. Officers arriving on the scene on Main Street in Farmingdale observed Dwayne Hogan, 38, "sitting in the driver's seat of a PSEG" freightliner, according to court papers, "a damaged sign on the ground."

"They conducted their investigation and that’s when they placed him into custody," the Nassau Police spokesman said. 

Hogan was charged with four counts of driving while intoxicated, including driving a commercial vehicle under the influence. 

Paperwork filed with the case said police found a damaged bus-stop sign "laying on the sidewalk" beside the truck. Asked what he'd had to drink, the driver responded, "A little bit of vodka" at a nearby bar, according to the documents. 

Police conducted field sobriety tests and determined his blood alcohol level was 0.23%, according to court papers. 

Hogan was arraigned Friday before Nassau District Judge Jaclene A. Agazarian, where he pleaded not guilty, according to court records and the Nassau District Attorney's office. He was released on his own recognizance with a mandatory license suspension. His next court date is Sept. 30. 

In a statement, PSEG Long Island said, "We are taking this matter very seriously. A thorough investigation is being conducted and appropriate actions will be taken."

Hogan is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, which declined to comment on the case Tuesday. He could not be reached for comment. 

PSEG said, "The safety and security of customers, employees and the public is of utmost importance to PSEG Long Island."

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.comMHarringtonNews

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.