Details emerge in deadly wrong-way Sunrise Highway crash involving Suffolk officer

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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Off-duty officer behind the wheel in wrong-way fatal crash
Kristin Thorne has the latest details.

WEST ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) -- New detailed emerged Wednesday about the Suffolk County police officer accused in a wrong-way crash that killed another person on Sunrise Highway early Tuesday.

Investigators say they have identified that victim, but they are not releasing the information because it appears he is homeless and they have yet to find his family members to notify them.

Meanwhile, Third Precinct officer Robert Scheuerer, 24, remains in serious condition at a local hospital. Police say he was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes when he crashed in to a commercial van in West Islip just after 4:30 a.m.

The van caught fire, killing the driver.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini said investigators took toxicology tests from Scheuerer at the hospital. He faces reckless endangerment charges, and more could be added.

"This is a tragic situation," he said. "It's tragic for the person who lost their life. It's tragic for the officer and his family. And it's tragic for the department."

Sini said authorities will treat this investigation as they do every other. Scheuerer has been suspended without pay.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.