The impact was so hard that two passengers in the cab were ejected. Five people were sent to the hospital, including the cab driver.
Sources say two men and two women in their late 20s jumped into a cab after a long night at the trendy Hamptons hotspot Pink Elephant. As the cabbie went to turn into a nearby 7-11 for his passengers, the alleged drunk driver blew a light at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and North Sea Road, hitting the rear passenger side door.
The cab driver, who has been with the company for two years, was treated and released.
A source says the suspect driving the SUV was with a woman, who reportedly said to him prior to the arrest, you smashed mom's car again? Authorities say the suspect has been released from the hospital into police custody with minor injuries.
The names or conditions of the victims is unknown at this point. In New York state, passengers are not required to wear seat belts in taxis. In this case, authorities say no one but the driver was buckled up.
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WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King
NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS
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