(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police arrested a Brentwood man for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle following a three-vehicle crash that injured two police officers and seriously injured a man and a woman in Hauppauge on Tuesday, September 1.
Orvin Antonio Gabriel was driving a 2001 Toyota Corolla westbound on Route 347 when his vehicle struck the rear of an unoccupied police vehicle at approximately 8:40 p.m. The police vehicle then struck two police officers and the two occupants of a 2013 Hyundai Sonata who had been stopped by the officers a short time before the crash.
Suffolk County Police arrested Orvin Antonio Gabriel, 24, of Brentwood following a three-vehicle crash that injured two police officers and seriously injured a man and a woman on Tuesday, September 1. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.
Samantha Koppen, 25, of Levittown and Chad Jackowski, 37, of Farmingdale, were transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital where they are listed in serious condition with multiple internal injuries. Koppen was initially stopped by police for a vehicle and traffic infraction. Drug paraphernalia and a quantity of heroin were recovered during the traffic stop.
Fourth Precinct Police Officers John Kurklen and Adam Tuthill were transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown where they were treated and released.
Gabriel, 24, was charged with Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Operation of Vehicles when Approaching a Parked, Stopped or a Standing Authorized Emergency Vehicle or Hazard Vehicle. He is being held at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on September 2.
All three vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
