Police: Driver In Deadly Crash That Killed Centereach Man Under Influence Of Drugs
CENTEREACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 20-year-old Centereach man was killed a just a half-mile from his home on Monday after police said his car was hit by a woman who was driving under the influence of drugs.
The crash happened just before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Route 25 and Smith Lane in Centereach.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports
Podcast
Imran Rehman, 20, was driving on Smith Lane and about to turn onto Route 25 when he was hit on the driver's side by an Audi driven by 37-year-old Debra Pendzick, police said.
Both were taken to the hospital where Rehman died and Pendzick was treated for chest pain.
Rehman's father, Ash Rehman, said his family was told about the crash by a bystander on the scene who found the 20-year-old's cell phone.
"Somebody looked up in the contacts and found 'home' and called," he told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "We all rushed to the accident, but by then, he was gone, taken to the hospital."
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On The Story
Podcast
Imran Rehman was born in Pakistan with spina bifida and had to have several surgeries, including an operation less than a year ago, his family said.
"Physically he wasn't strong, but he was mentally," relative Bruhan Sadiq told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff.
The victim's brother told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that he was always happy and willing to help.
Ash Rehman said his son attended Suffolk County Community College and had dreams of becoming a forensic scientist. Just last week his father put a payment on a gift for him -- a new car. Then, after the family ran out of soda on Monday, the 20-year-old, who just received his driver's license, went around the corner to the store. That is when police said his car was hit.
Prosecutors said Pendzick, a Center Moriches mother, was driving with a suspended license and admitted she was taking prescription drugs. Her attorney told CBS 2's Gusoff the police report puts the blame for the accident not on her but on Imran Rehman for turning into oncoming traffic.
Police arrested Pendzick on driving while ability impaired by drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle charges.
Suffolk County police said there were 52 DWI/DWAI arrests between 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. That's up from 46 arrests over the same period for the Memorial Day weekend last year.
Police were still waiting on results from blood tests on Pendzick, who is set to be arraigned at a later date.
Please share your thoughts below...
