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COMMACK (WALK) – A Plainview man driving drunk early Sunday morning in Commack has been blamed for causing a fatal crash killing a Suffolk County Police Department officer.
Police say the on-duty officer, whose name has not yet been released, was enroute to assist another officer around 4:15 a.m. At the intersection of Vanderbilt Motor Parkway and Commack Road in Commack the police squad car was involved in a crash with a 2007 Dodge Magnun
Jose Borbon, 23, of 178 Morton Blvd, has been identified as the driver of the Dodge.
Reports indicate the officer’s vehicle spun around from the force of the crash. The vehicle came to rest after striking a traffic pole and bursting into blames. Witnesses told Newsday the fire started and spread quickly and rescue efforts were impossible.
Borbon was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He is scheduled for arraignment Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Newsday obtained court records which they report indicate Borbon has a history of DWI charges. On January 4, Borbon was arrested in Nassau County for DWI, holding more than one license, criminal possession of a weapon, not signaling, driving without a seat belt and failure to obey a traffic device, according to Newsday. He is set to appear in court in April on those charges.
The newspaper also reports Borbon held a D-class “conditional” license, which allows drivers to only drive to specific locations such as to and from work. Borbon is believed to be participating in the state’s Drinking Driver rehabilitation program.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicle records obtained by Newsday indicate Boron was involved in four separate accidents in 2006 and had his license suspended in 2007.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the officer killed in this terrible crash,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. “This officer made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving the people of Suffolk County.”
“The Suffolk County Police Department is mourning the loss of one of our own,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer. “It’s a sad reminder of the dangers police officers face each and every day.”
