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Car, Tree, Mailbox, Arrest

Thu, 04/30/2020 - 07:10

Erik Miguel Rocha-Gallegos of Bayview Avenue near Northwest Harbor, 25, was arrested at about 9 a.m. on Sunday and charged with aggravated drunken driving, a first offense.

According to East Hampton Town police, his 2011 Chevrolet drove off Crystal Drive near Morrell Street and struck a brick barrier and tree, causing the car to overturn and hit a mailbox. The tree fell across the road, damaging a parked car on the opposite shoulder. 

An officer found Mr. Rocha-Gallegos standing near the car, and reported noticing a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. 

He had no explanation for the accident, the officer said, adding that his speech was slurred, he was unsteady on his feet, and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. He failed all field sobriety tests and consented to an Intoxilyzer blood-alcohol test. 

Mr. Rocha-Gallegos appeared before East Hampton Town Justice Lisa R. Rana the following day and was released on his own recognizance to await a court appearance.   

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