MARCH 22, 2015
ROCKVILLE, CENTRE, LONG ISLAND, NY
Bail was set at $5,000 cash or bond Sunday for an Oceanside
man charged with drunken driving after crashing his vehicle into another
intoxicated driver's car in Rockville Centre early Saturday, police said.
Neither driver was hurt but two passengers in the woman's
vehicle were seriously injured, police said.
The drivers were identified as Peter Serra, 34, of 3309
Balsam St., and Melody E. Thompson, 38, of 275 West Merrick Rd., Valley Stream.
Both were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead and charged with
driving while intoxicated.
Thompson was released on her own recognizance.
Serra, who is also charged with first degree vehicular assault and reckless
driving, was being held in the Nassau County jail.
According to a police report, the crash occurred at 4:55
a.m. on Merrick Road near Sunrise Highway. Serra was driving his 2012
Volkswagen sport utility vehicle west in the eastbound lane of Merrick Road 100
yards west of Windsor Avenue when he struck Thompson's 2011 Toyota as she
traveled east.
Police said there was a 30-year-old woman in the front
passenger seat of Thompson's car who was in critical condition after suffering
multiple leg fractures and head trauma. A 29-year-old woman who was a passenger
in the backseat was in serious condition after suffering a left arm fracture
and head trauma.
Both victims were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their
names and where they live were not made available Sunday morning.
Both cars were impounded.