A man from Long Island has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and fleeing the scene of an accident following a deadly collision in Port Jefferson Station on the night of Sunday, August 21.
According to police, 31-year-old Bob Hidalgo was operating a 2011 Toyota Corolla and headed in the southern direction on Route 112 in the vicinity of Sagamore Hills Drive when his vehicle was hit by a 1995 Nissan Maxima that was traveling south on Route 112 in Long Island, New York.
The driver of the Maxima was allegedly 19-year-old Danny Bonilla Zavala. After the accident, Zavala reportedly left the scene on foot. He was tracked down by police and arrested shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, Hidalgo, who was from Coram, NY, was declared dead at the scene of the auto accident. His wife, Taisha Hidalgo, was a passenger in the car and sustained serious injuries. She was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she received treatment for her accident-related injuries.
Zavala, who is from Selden NY, suffered minor injuries for which he was briefly hospitalized.
Both vehicles involved in the accident were seized so that they could undergo safety checks. Additionally, there is an ongoing investigation into the crash.
DWI or DUI in New York
In New York, a motorist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 percent or above can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). However, if you are a motorist under age 21, it is illegal for you to have consumed any alcohol. A driver who is less than 21 years of age and who has a BAC ranging from .02 to .07 percent can be required to attend a DMV hearing. If the judge finds that the DUI charge has been established, the defendant will be penalized by having their driver’s license suspended for a period of six months. The offender can also be required to pay a $125 civil penalty and a $100 suspension termination fee.
If you were injured, or if your loved one was killed, in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of another person, call the personal injury attorneys at Proner and Proner.
