Driver charged with DWI in RVC crash

A South Hempstead man was arrested and charged with numerous crimes, including driving while intoxicated, after causing a serious accident in Rockville Centre on Oct. 14.

According to police, Dustin B. Brandon, 27, was driving his 2016 Mercedes Benz convertible eastbound on Merrick Road at high speed at around 9:06 p.m. when the vehicle slammed into a Mazda Miata near Oceanside Road, splitting it in half. One of the Mazda’s rear tires detached and struck the windshield of a parked tractor trailer in the parking lot of a CVS store, police said.

Brandon’s car overturned and landed on the south side of Merrick Road, east of Oceanside Road, against a utility pole.

Responders from the Rockville Centre police and fire departments extricated Brandon and an unidentified 25-year-old female passenger from his vehicle. Brandon sustained non-life-threatening head and leg injuries, and his passenger had a lower leg injury.

The driver of the Mazda, whose identity was not released, sustained internal injuries. All three were taken to hospitals for treatment, according to police.

Brandon was charged with DWI, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of assault and criminal mischief. He was arraigned on Oct. 15 at First District Court in Hempstead.

Brandon’s attorney, Barry Gross, declined comment.