State police have changed their account of this crash. Please go to this link for further details.
A Merrick man was arrested after he was allegedly was under the influence of drugs when his vehicle was involved in a head-on crash Tuesday.
According to New York State Police, at 8:13 p.m., troopers were called to a crash on Ocean Parkway east of the Jones Beach tower. A Honda Accord was traveling eastbound west of Tobay Beach when it was struck head-on by a GMC Denali.
Cops said that their investigation revealed that the GMC was traveling westbound and crossed over the center median into the eastbound lanes, leading to the crash. The driver of the Honda, a 62-year-old Oakdale man, was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center with serious injuries.
The driver of the GMC, Cody Becker, 19, was also taken to NUMC, and he was treated for minor injuries and released. A passenger in the GMC was not injured, police added.
Becker has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree vehicular assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. His arraignment will be held at First District Court in Hempstead.
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