Father Accused Of Drag Racing On L.I.E. With Baby, Toddler In The Car
HOLBROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island father has been busted on charges he took his baby girl and toddler son along for a drag race. Making things worse, the dad is accused of revving it up to 118 mph before getting pulled over.
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Police said Darnell Anderson, a 25-year-old man from Central Islip, and his friend, 30-year-old Darryl Squires of Bay Shore, were having a speed contest on the westbound Long Island Expressway.
Authorities said the men were stopped near Exit 60 in Ronkonkoma around 2 a.m. on Sunday. According to police, Anderson's 7-month-old and 3-year-old children were in the car during the race.
"Why a parent would put their children in harm's way like that is unforgivable," Suzanne Monahan told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.
"Who would even think of doing something like that? That's unbelievable," Mark Irving said.
Anderson was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges. Squires was cited for driving under the influence, but incredibly, no one was hurt.
Initially, the arresting sheriff's deputy had no idea there were children in the car. He thought he was chasing a couple of drag racers alone. The shocking discovery was made after the cars were stopped.
"It's wildly irresponsible behavior, and it really goes beyond that. It's reckless," Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Chief Michael Sharkey said.
Sharkey said drag racing does happen on the expressway, but never before has a parent been caught racing with children.
"The 7-month-old was in a car seat, the 3-year-old was not even in a proper child restraint," Sharkey said.
Both men are out on bail. Police said the children were picked up at the scene by their mother.
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