In Grasmere, Staten Island, a motorist crashed into a utility pole. Now the driver is facing the charge of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
The good news is that an off-duty NYPD officer reportedly saved the lives of the driver’s wife and four children, all of whom were inside the vehicle at the time of the car accident.
The motorist, identified as 35-year-old Norman Williams of Staten Island, New York, also faces the charges of vehicular assault and aggravated DWI. The car collision occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Fingerboard Road, just south of the Staten Island Expressway. Inside the vehicle were an 11 month-old girl, a three-year -old girl, a nine-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy, and a 33-year-old woman.
Moments after the accident, an off-duty NYPD officer drove by while on his way home. Officer Joseph Villareal said he heard the sounds of children screaming and then saw smoke coming from the vehicle, which prompted him to move quickly.
Officer Villareal was the first person to hurry to the minivan and help the children. According to an eyewitness, one boy’s face was covered in blood. Officer Villareal, who is 25 years old, said he removed the infants from their baby seats and gave them to whoever was nearby. Although Officer Villareal has been trained for just such an emergency, the day of the accident was his ninth day working on the street. He only recently graduated from the academy on July 1.
Police said that Williams’ blood alcohol level was .20 percent, which was more than twice the legal limit in New York. He was reportedly speeding when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the utility pole.
Two of the children suffered severe injuries in the car crash, including a hip fracture, a broken bone, and an eye fracture.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence of another motorist, call the personal injury attorneys at Proner and Proner today. Our skilled legal team can assist you throughout your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.