Husband and wife killed in Long Island crash by alleged drunk driver

RONKONKOMA, Long Island (WABC) -- A 23-year-old man is accused of driving drunk during a crash that killed a husband and wife on Long Island.

Suffolk County police say the wreck happened at Lakeland and Ocean avenues in Ronkonkoma.

The driver of the second car, identified as Kyle Glinka, survived and is being charged with DUI while being treated for injuries at the hospital.

Police identified the married victims as 67-year-old William Kear and his 66-year-old wife Joanne.

The Kears, on their way home to Medford from their daughter's house where a family dinner with their grandchildren had been hosted, were making a left turn in Ronkonkoma when their Chevrolet pickup truck was struck.

They were both taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

"Mr. Glinka made oral admissions that he was drinking," Suffolk County Police Detective Sergeant James Madden said. "He smelled of alcohol."

Investigators say Glinka was also speeding, going so fast in his small Audi that when he hit the couple's pickup truck, he tipped it over.

"We do have witness statements at this time saying that the Kears would have had a green light," Madden said. "That Mr. Glinka, traveling southbound, would have ran a red light."

Glinka is listed in serious condition at Stony Brook Hospital after undergoing surgery Monday morning.

Neighbors say the Kears were one of a kind.

"If you needed them at two in the morning, they would be there," neighbor Laura Stepper said. "Their grandchildren were everything to them. I ask that we all pray for their family."

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. The investigation is continuing, and autorities said it is possible the charges could be upgraded.