Update: Route 114 Reopened After Alleged Drunken Driver Downed Pole in East Hampton

Update, 1:20 p.m.: Thomas Pazera, 49, of Sag Harbor was arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court Tuesday morning after being charged with aggravated drunken driving at the misdemeanor level following an early morning accident on Route 114. According to the police, Mr. Pazera was headed north at a "high rate speed" in a 2013 Jeep when he failed to negotiate a sharp curve near Plank Road. The Jeep veered off the road, plowing into a telephone pole, which fell onto the road.

When an officer arrived, Mr. Pazera, who did not require medical attention, could not recall what had led to the accident. As he was being given roadside sobriety tests, he reportedly said, "I just want to tell you I am drunk."

The vehicle sustained major front-end and frame damage and was towed away.

After being arrested, Mr. Pazera was taken to police headquarters, where he initially refused to take a breath test, reportedly saying, "I don't want to take the test. I will fail." He consented on the third request. Police recorded a .26 blood alcohol percentage. That reading is over three times the legal limit, as well as being considerably higher than the .18 reading that triggers a raised charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

He was released after his father posted the $500 bail set by East Hampton Town Justice Lisa R. Rana.

Update, 11:15 a.m.: Route 114 in East Hampton has been reopened and power has been restored in the area, according to East Hampton Town police. It had been closed between Goodfriend Drive and Whooping Hollow Road since about 12:30 a.m.

Originally, 8:55 a.m.: A portion of Route 114 in East Hampton remains closed Tuesday morning while crews remove and replace a downed utility pole blocking both lanes of traffic after an alleged drunken-driving accident overnight. Route 114 is closed from Goodfriend Drive to Whooping Hollow Road, and town police warned drivers to expect long delays during the morning commute. 

The pole cracked at the base and fell across Route 114, just north of Plank Road, after a Jeep struck it around 12:30 a.m., according to East Hampton Fire Chief Richard Osterberg Jr., who responded to the call. The Jeep was not occupied when he got there, but the driver was found nearby a short time later. It was unclear whether the driver was injured. 

Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo said the driver was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated and will be arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court Tuesday morning. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time, the chief said.

Meanwhile, PSEG-Long Island is working on getting another pole up and having utilities restored in the area. However, there is no timetable on reopening the road yet, the chief said.

This article will be updated as more information is made available.