Two New York State Police vehicles were severely damaged by an alleged drunk driver early Saturday morning as the officers were involved in handling another drunk driving incident. The incident unfolded around midnight on November 16 at the Long Island Parkway in Babylon, New York, according to police reports.
Initial investigations revealed the two state troopers were addressing the situation involving a 2018 GMC Arcadia, which had collided with a Department of Transportation light tower situated within a work zone. During their investigation, 72-year-old Jaikaran Ramrookum drove his gray 2004 Toyota RAV4 straight onto the scene, slamming it right onto the parked patrol cars.
Eyewitness accounts and police statements indicated the impact was significant enough to push the first patrol car directly onto the second one. Damaged photos released by the state police showed the aftermath, highlighting the extensive wreckage of both cruisers and the SUV involved.
After the chaotic collision, the troopers shifted their focus and rushed to help any civilians who might have been affected by the incident. Ironically, it wasn’t until their adrenaline started to wear off they acknowledged having sustained minor injuries themselves. "It was only after their adrenaline began to subside," said the police report, underscoring the unpredictability and risk involved with police work.
All drivers involved, including Ramrookum, were taken to local hospitals to receive medical attention for their injuries, which authorities confirmed were non-life-threatening. Ramrookum, having been evaluated post-accident, was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), categorized as an unclassified misdemeanor under New York law.
The New York State Police addressed the situation with disappointment, making it clear this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all drivers, especially on the heels of such tragedies tied to impaired driving. "This situation is serious and unfortunate. It is disappointing when individuals make choices endangering the lives of others, particularly those striving to maintain roadway safety and protect the public," the police emphasized.
They reiterated the necessity for sober driving and also urged the public to remain alert, slow down and follow contextual traffic prompts like the Move Over Law, which mandates giving space for emergency responders on roadways.
While this incident captured attention for its dramatic nature, it also serves as one of many unfortunate reminders about the consequences of impaired driving. The police have continuously highlighted not only the legal repercussions but the real-life dangers drunk driving poses to themselves and others on the road, making it emphasis to choose safety over reckless decisions.
Fox News Digital has reached out for additional comments from the New York State Police to gain insights on any upcoming safety initiatives targeting drunk driving on New York’s roads. But for now, the focus remains on this latest collision and the actions being taken to care for those injured.
With incidents like this making the headlines, it becomes imperative for local law enforcement and community members to engage proactively in dialogues about road safety, underlining the motto: Drive sober or get pulled over.
