Man Charged With DWI in Crash in Ridge

A 26-year-old man is facing charges that he drove the wrong way and collided headed-on with another car driven by an off-duty police officer in Ridge Saturday morning.  Suffolk County police said he was driving eastbound in the westbound lane on Middle Country Rd. when he struck a vehicle driven by the officer.

Both drivers were taken to a local hospital where it was learned that the officer suffered a fractured sternum and a minor head injury. Tomas was treated for an injured ankle and broken leg.

He was then charged with DWI, driving without a license and crossing the divider. The charges could be upgraded pending results of a court-ordered blood test.

The officer remained hospitalized Tuesday but Tomas is expected to be released, according to a police spokeswoman.