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Jamesport FD assistant chief pleads not guilty; released without bail

A Jamesport Fire Department assistant chief was arrested Saturday evening after leaving the scene of a drunk-driving crash in his department vehicle, Southold Town police said. 

Probie of the Year 2014

David McKillop, 55, of Aquebogue was driving west shortly before 6:30 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway and crashed into several road signs at the Tuckers Lane intersection on Main Road in Southold, police said.  A witness reported that he then left the scene with front end damage to his vehicle and a large hole in the windshield, police said.

A longtime social studies teacher and coach in the Riverhead School District, Mr. McKillop was later arrested on Route 25 and Wickham Avenue in Mattituck, police said. He had been seen earlier in the day marching in the Greenport Washington’s Day parade.

Mr. McKillop was charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with property damage, driving with no headlights on after dark and a defective front windshield. He was released without bail following his Sunday morning arraignment in Southold Town Justice Court.

Mr. McKillop, who was wearing a white t-shirt while police held his fire department jacket in court, pleaded not guilty to all charges. His wife, brother and a friend attended the arraignment.

His attorney, John O’Brien of Sag Harbor, noted it was his client’s first offense and stressed his deep roots in the community when requesting no bail. Southold Town Justice Brian Hughes said he had not received a bail request from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

Mr. McKillop is due back in court April 8.