On October 14, 2023, just after 1:00 AM, the State Police responded to a report wrong way crash in the westbound lanes of Sunrise Highway between exits 65 and 64, in the town of Southampton, Suffolk County.
Preliminary investigation revealed the driver, Nestor Huartan 50 of East Quogue, NY, of a 2020 Ford Explorer, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes on Sunrise Highway when it struck a vehicle, a 2016 Volkswagen GTI, head on.
The driver of the Volkswagen was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition and the passenger was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and the Forensic Identification Unit all responded to the scene.
Huartan was uninjured in the crash and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Huartan was arraigned at Southampton Town Court and released.
The crash is still under investigation and the State Police is asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to call (631) 756-3300.