SCPD: Two People Rescued from Burning Vehicle in West Islip, Driver Arrested for DWI
West Islip, NY - February 16, 2018 - Suffolk County Police on Thursday, February 15, arrested a man for driving while intoxicated following a single-vehicle crash during which the vehicle occupants were saved from the burning vehicle by police officers and a Good Samaritan.
Jack Magee was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus on Alwick Avenue in West Islip when at approximately 1:05 a.m. he failed to negotiate a turn and struck a stone wall in front 7 Edmore Lane. The vehicle caught fire following the crash and when officers arrived, Magee was outside his vehicle but two other occupants remained in the burning car.
Third Precinct Police Officer Joseph White and a nearby resident pulled the front seat passenger from the vehicle. When they attempted to remove the other passenger, they were unable to open the rear doors of the vehicle due to damage. Officer White and Officer Jose Estrella worked to remove the passenger while Officers Christopher Germano and John Pizzuto worked to hold the fire at bay using fire extinguishers. The officers were able to extricate the victim and responding firefighters then extinguished the fire.
Both passengers were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where they were admitted in critical but stable condition.
Magee, 22, of Brightwaters, was also transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and he is under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated. He will be arraigned at a later date.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.