Cops: 7th Wrong-way DWI in 1 Month

A Miller Place man became the seventh alleged wrong-way driver to be accused of DWI in one month. Instead of alcohol, he was allegedly high on heroin, police say.

Riverhead police say that on Tuesday Ryan McCready was driving eastbound when he crossed over the double-yellow lines continuing to drive on the westbound lanes on Rt. 25 in Calverton and then crashed his car head-on into two other vehicles: a truck and a Jeep.

Investigators said preliminary tests showed McCready was high on and in possession of heroin. McCready and one of the other drivers were treated and then released from the hospital for injuries suffered in the crash.

News of the crash came hours after Suffolk County officials announced that police will be conducting DWI checkpoints in high-traffic areas during the holiday season. This program is an anti-DWI public awareness campaign inspired by six prior alleged wrong-way DWI arrests on Long Island in only one month.

McCready pleaded not guilt at Riverhead Town Justice Court after being charged with DWAI, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a hypodermic needle. His bail was set at $250,000.

He is due back in court Dec. 29.