Upgraded charges for driver responsible for crash near Splish Splash

The driver of a Jeep Wrangler that crashed outside the entrance to Splish Splash earlier this month, causing two children to be ejected, was arrested on upgraded charges of endangering the welfare of a child, according to Riverhead Town police.

Joshua Alvin Burns of the Bronx faces three counts of the misdemeanor charge after an investigation into the Aug. 7 crash that caused multiple injuries. Mr. Burns was driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler from the Bronx to Calverton with seven additional passengers, including three children who were not in required car seats or wearing safety belts, police said.

A 10-month-old boy was sitting on the lap of an adult and an 11-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy were seated in the rear cargo area that had no seat or seatbelts, police said. The two children in the back were ejected from the collision, when Mr. Burns attempted to turn onto Splish Splash Drive in front of eastbound traffic. The investigation pinned the blame of the crash on Mr. Burns, according to a police press release.

The children, who were both airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital at the time of the crash, are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Mr. Burns turned himself in at the Riverhead Police Department where he was processed and released with a court date in September, police said. Mr. Burns had initially been issued traffic tickets for seatbelt violations at the time of the crash.