Austin Richuitti, of Bellport, charged with driving while impaired in Manorville crash with tanker truck
Emergency personnel on the LIE in Manorville on Wednesday after a tanker truck was involved in a crash on the expressway. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
A crash Wednesday afternoon involving a motorist allegedly impaired by drugs and a tanker truck left both drivers hospitalized with injuries and shut down part of the Long Island Expressway in Manorville for several hours, Suffolk County police said.
At around 1:21 p.m. Wednesday, Austin Richuitti, 19, of Bellport, was driving a 2011 Cadillac west on the LIE near Exit 69, Wading River Road, at “a high rate of speed,” police said Wednesday evening. Richuitti’s vehicle hit the rear of a 2010 International oil truck, causing it to overturn into a wooded area, according to police.
Both Richuitti and the operator of the tanker truck were transported by Suffolk police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in stable condition, police said.
Richuitti was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree reckless endangerment and reckless driving, police said, adding that they impounded the Cadillac for a safety check.
A woman who answered the phone at Jarzombek Energy in Riverhead, the heating oil company listed on the overturned tanker, said the company had no comment about the crash.
By midnight Thursday, the westbound right lane at Exit 69 had reopened but the center and left lanes were closed for construction.
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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.
