Alleged drunk driver strikes, critically injures 78-year-old woman on Long Island
OCEANSIDE, Long Island (WABC) -- A woman was critically injured when she was struck by a car driven by an alleged drunk driver on Long Island on Thursday.
In a video obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News, a white van can be seen stopped at a red light as the 78-year-old walked in the crosswalk on Long Beach Road at Weidner Avenue in Oceanside just before 5 p.m.
At one point, the van, driven by 24-year-old Niall Duignan, moves forward, striking her.
At arraignment on Friday, prosecutors said in court that the woman is in the hospital, has a brain injury, a lacerated liver, is intubated, and likely not going to survive.
Prosecutors Duignan's blood alcohol content was .21%.
He pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated and vehicular assault.
Duignan is a certified EMT, according to his attorney, and he tells us that he stayed at the scene and administered CPR to the victim.
Nassau district attorney Anne Donnelly said her office will aggressively prosecute this case, saying in a statement, "It is unspeakable that this defendant was allegedly driving while highly intoxicated, in broad daylight on a Thursday afternoon, when he struck an innocent 78-year-old woman in the crosswalk who now fights for her life."
Prosecutors say there is a possibility of higher felony charges in this case.
Duignan was released with an ankle monitor. He is due back in court on July 2.
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