Yaphank, NY (77WABC)- A Suffolk County police officer who was struck by an alleged drunk driver in Yaphank Tuesday is now in a medically induced coma. New 12 Long Island reporting Officer Tim Thrane was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital suffering from a fractured skull.
Suffolk County Police say the driver of a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck was heading south on the William Floyd Parkway when he allegedly struck a GMC Yukon. The GMC impacted the officer’s police vehicle which caused the GMC to hit the officer.
The driver of the pick up truck 38-year-old William Petersohn of Mastic was arrested on a charge of DWI. He and the officer were both taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition. The driver of the GMC was not hurt.
Police say the officer’s marked Suffolk County Police vehicle was parked in the roadway blocking traffic due to an earlier police investigation at the intersection of William Floyd Parkway and Yaphank Woods Boulevard at approximately 12 am when the officer was hit as he directed traffic.
Detectives from the Major Case Unit charged Petersohn with Driving While Intoxicated. He faced a judge Thursday and did not have to post bail. Petersohn has no prior criminal convictions. He will be arraigned at a later date. A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
