Outgoing Port Washington schools superintendent charged with DWI in Sayville
SAYVILLE, Long Island (WABC) -- The outgoing Port Washington schools superintendent was arrested in a drunken driving crash over the weekend that left a motorcyclist seriously injured.
It happened Sunday just after 9 p.m. on Railroad Avenue in Sayville.
Police say Michael Hynes, 53, was driving a 2019 Honda Civic northbound on Railroad Avenue when police say he attempted to turn left onto Depot Street and crashed into a motorcyclist traveling southbound.
That driver, 63-year-old Alberto Fernandez of Sayville, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, including a broken pelvis, crushed lungs and an injury to part of his spine, according to the misdemeanor complaint.
Hynes was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and was arraigned Monday and released on his own recognizance at First District Court in Central Islip.
"He's going through a very traumatic thing, as you can imagine," said defense attorney John Halverson. "So, we're going to deal with it, we're dealing with today and we'll move on and go forward."
The misdemeanor complaint also said the 53-year-old told police that he was picking up his daughter from the train station and that it was just his fingers that were hurt, and he initially refused to take a blood alcohol test at the scene.
Hynes was pretty popular and prominent on social media in his five years as superintendent, but earlier this month, he surprised the district by announcing his retirement for a job in the private sector. His final board meeting was last Tuesday, and he was set to leave the district next month.
The Port Washington School District released a statement: "The district is aware of the incident involving our superintendent of schools, Dr. Michael Hynes. We are gathering additional information. Dr. Christopher Shields has been appointed acting superintendent of schools, effective immediately. When more information is available, the community will be updated."
This comes just after last week, Suffolk County Police announced its zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving for the holiday season.
Hynes' arrest is one of three suspected weekend DWIs, including a wrong-way crash in Babylon that set four boats on fire.
ALSO READ | Woman charged with DWI after fiery crash at Suffolk County Marine Center
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