Fiery crash into Long Island gas pump; driver arrested
HUNTINGTON STATION, Suffolk County (WABC) -- A car slammed into a gas station and burst into flames in Suffolk County early Tuesday morning.
It happened at the Citgo station on New York Avenue at West Hills Road in Huntington Station around 2:30 a.m.
Police say a drunk driver slammed into the gas pump, causing it to burst into flames.
Fernando Velasquez, 24, of Huntington Station is charged with DWI and unlicensed driving.
Velasquez was driving a 2014 BMW on New York Avenue when he apparently veered off the road and slammed into the gas pump and two other parked cars.
Surveillance video of the explosion
A huge explosion resulted, yet amazingly, no one was injured.
"I was just walking with my music in, and it was like a meteorite hit the sky," witness Rico Mendoza said.
The gas station was closed at the time of the crash.
"This could have happened when the station was open," owner Mike Oztimurlenk said. "He could have hit someone, and it could have been a lot worse."
Oztimurlenk said he is hoping his insurance covers all of the damage to his family-owned business.
"Don't drink and drive," Oztimurlenk said. "He's not thinking about himself. At least think about other people."
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