SOUTHAMPTON POLICE OFFICER ARRAIGNED FOR DWI AFTER ALLEGEDLY REAR-ENDING VEHICLE IN WESTHAMPTON

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – An off-duty Southampton police officer was arraigned today for driving while intoxicated after he allegedly rear-ended a vehicle at the intersection of Mill Road and Montauk Highway in Westhampton, announced Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

“Members of the law enforcement community should be held to a higher standard, so it is disappointing when a member allegedly violates the laws they are sworn to protect,” said Tierney.  D.A. Tierney thanked the Southampton Town Police Department for its cooperation.

Eric Girardin, 36 of Center Moriches, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated as a first offense, a misdemeanor, after he allegedly crashed his 2020 Nissan sedan into the rear of a 2018 Hyundai late Friday night. The driver of the Hyundai, Carlos Portillo, 41 of Riverhead did not sustain serious injuries as a result of the impact.

During his arraignment, Southampton Court Judge Gary J. Weber ordered Girardin to turn in his driver’s license and suspended his driving privileges. He is due back in Southampton Court in front of Judge Weber on Jan. 19.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Bureau.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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