A Wading River man is facing drugged driving and drug possession charges following a fatal two-vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway in East Quogue early this morning, N.Y. State Police said in a press release this afternoon.
George Hackett, age 52, operating a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe eastbound on Sunrise Highway at around 3:30 a.m. struck the rear of an eastbound 2010 Nissan Armada, driven by Franklin Blake, 81, of Jamaica, Queens, police said. The impact caused the Nissan to exit the roadway, overturn several times and come to rest in the wood line. This caused Blake to be ejected from the Nissan, resulting in his death, police said.
Hackett fled the scene on foot and was located a short time later by Southampton Town Police, according to the troopers’ press release.
Hackett was arrested and charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, a class D felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a class A misdemeanor, police said.
The road was closed for several hours as the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and the Forensic Identification Unit all responded to the scene. Southampton Town Police also responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation, state police said.
Hackett will be arraigned at the Town of Southampton Court Friday morning at 9 a.m..
This investigation is ongoing, and police are asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to call (631) 756-3300.
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