Police

Cops: Riverhead man drove drunk, gave fake name, held by ICE

COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON POLICE
COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON POLICE

A drunken driver crashed into another car at the Riverside traffic circle Saturday evening just a few hundred feet away from an officer on patrol, then gave police a false name before being arrested and held by Immigrations Customs Enforcement, according to a police report.

A Southampton Town police officer was parked at the Valero gas station about 5:45 when he heard a loud noise across the other side of the circle, according to the report.

The officer found a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan had just collided into the rear of another vehicle and questioned the driver, 34-year-old Werner Lopez of Riverhead.

Mr. Lopez claimed he was someone else while he was being interviewed and appeared to be highly intoxicated, police said.

He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and false personation, both misdemeanors, and taken to police headquarters for processing.

But from there, Mr. Lopez was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center to be treated “due to his high level of intoxication,” police said.

He remains held by ICE without bail.