Apparent wrong-way crash closes eastbound lanes of LIE in Plainview

PLAINVIEW, Long Island (WABC) -- An apparent wrong-way crash closed the eastbound Long Island Expressway leading up to the Monday morning commute, and a driver is in custody and facing charges.

Police say two vehicles collided in the eastbound lanes near Exit 46 in Plainview at 3:55 a.m.

Authorities believe the alleged wrong-way driver, 41-year-old John Durant, of Pelham, entered the highway at Wicks Road in Brentwood.

Durant was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip and was charged with DWI and reckless endangerment. The other driver, 24-year-old Fatma Parwana, of Medford, was treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

Suffolk County police, who are leading the investigation, appeared to be following the car in the westbound lanes from Suffolk into Nassau at the time of the crash.

Eastbound lanes were closed for about four hours, reopening just after 8 a.m.

The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information on this crash is asked to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.