Cops: DWI crash at Flanders deli

A Flanders man who was allegedly driving drunk was arrested Saturday morning after he crashed into a Flanders deli and fled the scene, authorities said.

Southampton Town Police said several people called 911 after Javier Valverde, 23, hit the Hampton Deli on Flanders Road at 7:15 a.m. His car, which deli employees said was a blue sedan, was later found on Maple Avenue, where Mr. Valverde was apprehended. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.

Store manager Byron Tena said no one was standing in the front of the store when the car hit.

“There was a big boom,” he said. “He destroyed the whole glass. A whole tray of newspapers.”

He said one customer tried to run after Mr. Valverde as he fled.

The accident upset the deli’s employees. “The girls were crying, panicking,” Mr. Tena said. “They wanted to go home.”

The deli reopened up a few hours later, he said.

VERA CHINESE