Early Sunday morning, October 18, 2026, police say a driver suspected of being drunk hit an Islip Fire Department ambulance on Main Street in Bay Shore. EMTs were loading an injured 26-year-old man into the ambulance at the time. The crash threw the stretcher out of the ambulance and knocked the patient into the street. A 32-year-old Islip woman was arrested at the scene and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. If you or a loved one is hurt in a drunk driving accident on Long Island, New York law gives you ways to recover compensation, and those rights don’t depend on how the criminal case turns out. A drunk driving accident attorney can help you find every source of recovery.
What Happened on Main Street in Bay Shore
According to a Suffolk County Police Department press release, the crash happened at about 2:15 a.m. on Main Street, just east of Third Avenue in Bay Shore. Members of the Islip Fire Department had parked their ambulance with its emergency lights on and were loading a 26-year-old Islip man into the back for treatment.
Police say a 2017 Honda Accord then struck the ambulance. As News 12 Long Island reported, the impact forced the stretcher out of the ambulance and threw the patient into the street, adding to his injuries. A second ambulance had to be called to take him to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was reported hurt.
Third Precinct officers determined that the driver was intoxicated and arrested her at the scene. She was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Greater Long Island reported that she pleaded not guilty at her arraignment in Suffolk First District Court in Central Islip. The crash was also covered by Patch, LongIsland.com, and Law&Crime.
A criminal charge is only an accusation. The driver is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Case Today (212) 977-2020
Drunk Driving Accidents Are Still a Serious Problem on Long Island
This crash is shocking because the person hurt was already injured and getting help. But alcohol-related crashes are common across Suffolk County. The latest drunk driving statistics from NHTSA show that 11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024. That’s about 30% of all U.S. traffic deaths.
Late-night and early-morning hours, like the 2:15 a.m. timing of this crash, are some of the most dangerous times to be on the road. We’ve written before about why holidays like New Year’s Eve are among the most dangerous nights to drive. The same risks show up every weekend along busy corridors like Main Street in Bay Shore.
Drivers Must Slow Down and Move Over for Ambulances
The Move Over Law in NY (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1144-a) requires drivers to use caution, slow down, and move over when they pass a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on. EMTs, firefighters, and police officers work just a few feet from moving traffic. When a driver is impaired, those few feet disappear.
First responders who get hurt in crashes like this one may have options beyond workers’ compensation. An EMT struck by a negligent driver can often bring a third-party claim against that driver. Learn more about when a work injury is more than just workers’ comp, or talk with our Suffolk County work injury lawyers.
Your Rights If You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver in New York
The criminal DWI case and an injury victim’s civil case are two separate things. Prosecutors handle the charges under VTL 1192. An injured person can bring their own claim for compensation no matter how the criminal case ends. Here’s how a drunk driving accident claim usually works in New York.
1. No-fault insurance pays first
New York is a no-fault state. Your own auto policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers basic medical bills and lost wages, up to $50,000, no matter who caused the crash. Read our guides to no-fault insurance in NY and how PIP works in New York.
2. Serious injuries open the door to a lawsuit
To sue the drunk driver for pain and suffering, your injury generally has to meet the serious injury threshold in NY, which is set by Insurance Law § 5102(d). That can include fractures, significant limitation of a body part, or an injury that keeps you from your normal daily activities for 90 of the first 180 days.
3. A DWI arrest is powerful evidence
Police reports, breath or blood test results, and arrest records can be strong proof that a driver was negligent. In cases involving extreme recklessness, New York courts may allow punitive damages on top of compensation for your losses.
4. Bars and restaurants may also be responsible
New York’s dram shop law (General Obligations Law § 11-101) lets injured people bring claims against a business that illegally sold alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated, if that sale contributed to the crash. This matters because it can add another source of insurance coverage, which is especially important when the drunk driver carries low car insurance limits. Find out what happens if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
5. Deadlines apply
In most New York car accident cases you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims usually must be filed within two years. Claims involving government vehicles or agencies may have much shorter notice deadlines. See how long you have to file after a car accident in New York.
What to Do After a Car Accident With a Drunk Driver
Knowing what to do after a car accident protects both your health and your claim. When alcohol is involved, these steps matter even more:
- Call 911. A police report documenting the driver’s impairment is critical. (Should I call the police after a car accident in New York?)
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. (Should I see a doctor after a car accident?)
- Gather evidence: photos, witness names, and any dashcam or nearby business video. (How dashcams can help your claim)
- Be careful with insurance adjusters. Don’t give a recorded statement before you get legal advice. (How to deal with insurance companies)
- Note where the driver was drinking, if you know. This can support a dram shop claim.
- Talk to a lawyer early, before evidence like bar receipts and surveillance video disappears.
For the full checklist, read what to do after a car accident in New York. Crime victims may also be eligible for help from the New York State Office of Victim Services.
Injured in a Bay Shore or Islip Drunk Driving Accident? Chaikin Trial Group Can Help
Chaikin Trial Group is a Long Island personal injury lawyer team that represents people hurt by drunk and impaired drivers. Whether you need an Islip car accident lawyer, a Suffolk County car accident lawyer, or a Long Island car accident lawyer who also handles cases in Nassau County and New York City, our attorneys have recovered over $100 million for clients. We investigate every source of recovery, including the at-fault driver’s insurance, your own coverage, and any bar or restaurant that over-served.
Talk to an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer, review our case results, or contact us for a free case evaluation. If a drunk driving crash took the life of someone you love, our Long Island wrongful death lawyer team, including our Suffolk County wrongful death lawyers, is here to help.
Call or text (212) 977-2020 for a free consultation. Come in as a client, leave as a friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a drunk driver in New York even if they aren’t convicted?
Yes. A civil injury claim is separate from the criminal case and uses a lower standard of proof. You can pursue compensation even if the DWI charge is reduced, dismissed, or still pending.
Can a bar be held liable for a drunk driving accident in New York?
Possibly. Under New York’s Dram Shop Act, a bar, restaurant, or store that illegally sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be liable for injuries that person later causes.
Who pays my medical bills after a drunk driving crash?
Your own no-fault (PIP) coverage pays first, up to $50,000 for basic economic loss. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can pursue the drunk driver for more. See who pays medical bills after a car accident.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated. Learn more about comparative negligence in New York.
Is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident caused by a drunk driver?
If you were seriously hurt, or if alcohol was involved, a lawyer can preserve evidence, find every insurance policy, including possible dram shop coverage, and deal with the insurers for you. Read: is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident? and do I need a lawyer after a car accident on Long Island?
What damages can I recover after being hit by a drunk driver?
Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care costs. Punitive damages may be available in some cases. See what types of damages you can recover.
Sources
- Suffolk County Police Department press release
- News 12 Long Island
- Greater Long Island
- Patch Bay Shore
- LongIsland.com
- Law&Crime
- Responsibility.org summary of NHTSA 2024 data