Cops: Drunken driver hits worker on parkway
A Queens man was arrested and charged with drunken driving and misdemeanor drug possession after he drove into a construction zone early Wednesday and struck a construction worker on the Northern State Parkway, police said.
State police said the worker, whose identity was not released, suffered back and neck injuries and was later treated at Huntington Hospital.
The driver, Andrew Rohkohl, 27, of East Elmhurst, was arrested at the scene on charges of driving while intoxicated, second-degree reckless endangerment, seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance and traffic violations. Police said Rohkohl had a 0.17 percent blood-alcohol content -- more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent in New York.
Police said Rohkohl, driving a Chevy Cobalt westbound on the Northern State Parkway, entered the construction zone near Exit 42, Route 231, in Dix Hills, at 3:19 a.m. -- and struck the construction worker.
After stopping, police said Rohkohl was detained at the scene by another worker.
Police said Rohkohl faces the drug charge because he was in possession of Hydrocodone.
Arraignment details were not immediately available.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
