Guilty Plea In Serious Crash That Injured Pedestrian In Suffolk: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Bellport man pleaded guilty to vehicular assault and other related charges in connection with driving while impaired by both alcohol and phencyclidine, then striking a man with his vehicle, and leaving the scene, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

On May 20, 2023, at around 5:40 a.m., a male victim was walking at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Agamemnon Avenue in Bellport, and Michael Turner, 51, was driving a 2008 Chevy Impala, which struck him and then left without stopping, prosecutors said.
A good Samaritan heard the crash, saw the victim on the ground, and called 911, then followed Turner’s car long enough to provide the license plate number to police, according to prosecutors.

Law enforcement tracked Turner's vehicle and arrested him later that night, and toxicology testing revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .04 percent and that he also had PCP in his system, prosecutors said.

The victim, who sustained multiple fractures to his skull, back, and leg, was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment, according to prosecutors.

“This defendant not only chose to drive a car after drinking alcohol and ingesting PCP, but after striking and seriously injuring a pedestrian, he fled the scene leaving the victim lying in the street,” Tierney said. “Today’s plea assures that the defendant is held accountable for his selfish actions and should set an example that drugged and drunk driving will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

Altogether, Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and a drug.

In a statement to Patch, his attorney, Katherine Fernandez of Uniondale, said her client has "remained remorseful for the victim and has used this event and time to focus his life on improving himself and his choices for the future."

He has taken "full accountability and hopes to be better for himself and his family," she said.