As it was first reported by Metropolitan Forensics, the Suffolk DA says that Off-Duty Cop in Deadly Wrong-Way Crash Had Blood Alcohol Level Twice the Legal Limit
The district attorney's office in Suffolk County says the off duty officer involved in a deadly wrong-way crash had a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit. Michael George reports. (Published Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016)
The off-duty Suffolk County police officer who allegedly drove the wrong way on Sunrise Highway, hitting and killing another driver, had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit, prosecutors say.
The officer, 24-year-old Robert Scheuerer, had a BAC of .17 percent, more than twice the legal limit, toxicology tests performed by the Suffolk County crime lab show. The test results were released Wednesday by the Suffolk County district attorney's office, who said the off-duty officer had been drinking at a bar before the crash.
Scheuerer was driving his 2000 Nissan Pathfinder in the wrong direction on the westbound side of the the highway when he crashed into a Ford van between exits 39 and 40 in West Islip shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, Suffolk County police say.
The van caught fire, and the driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene, his body burned beyond recognition. Police have tentatively identified the man, but will need a DNA test before they release a name.
An off-duty Suffolk County police officer was driving the wrong way on Sunrise Highway early Tuesday morning when he allegedly hit and killed another driver, authorities say. Greg Cergol reports. (Published Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016)Scheuerer was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of felony first-degree reckless endangerment at Southside Hospital, where he remains in serious condition, prosecutors said. Cash bail was set $150,000, and he is set to appear in court on Nov. 17.
His attorney William Petrillo said to NBC 4 New York, "It would be very wise and very responsible for anyone assessing this case not to pre-judge it and to wait until it all comes out."
Suffolk police say he has been suspended without pay.
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Police: Officer driving wrong way in deadly Sunrise Highway crashBy Lucy Yang
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 10:08PM
WEST ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) -- Traffic is moving again on Sunrise Highway in West Islip, but early Tuesday morning it was the scene of a horrific, fatal car accident.
At 4:38 a.m., Eyewitness News is told a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder crashed into a 2016 Ford van causing the van to burst into flames. The driver inside the van was pronounced dead at the scene.
It happened on the westbound lanes of Sunrise Highway between exits 39 and 40.
Authorities report the driver of the Nissan was heading the wrong way, going eastbound in the westbound lanes.
Worse yet, the driver was an off-duty Suffolk County police officer.
24-year-old Robert Scheuerer has been with the Suffolk County Police Department only a year.
He worked out of the third precinct which is not far from the accident site.
Given the protective concrete divider and chain-link fence, it's actually quite difficult to head the wrong way on this portion of Sunrise Highway.
The nightmare accident snarled traffic during the morning rush.
The young officer was rushed to the hospital. Scheuerer has now been suspended without pay. He is also being charged with first degree reckless endangerment, a felony. More charges could follow as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.