Suffolk County Police today arrested a Mastic Beach man after he fled from a traffic stop in a U-Haul van and was involved in a hit-and-run crash while in possession of drugs.
Fifth Precinct officers attempted to pull over a 2025 Ford van, which was reported stolen from the rental company, on eastbound Sunrise Highway Service Road in Patchogue. The driver fled the stop in the van, driving recklessly.
The driver was involved in a hit-and-run crash with another vehicle while traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes on Express Drive North in Holtsville. There were no injuries reported.
The vehicle was then abandoned on Lidge Drive in Farmingville and the occupants fled on foot.
The driver of the vehicle, Gerald Matzen, 42, of 271 Cypress Drive, Mastic Beach, was located by police on Dogwood Avenue in Farmingville at 10:26 a.m.
Matzen was charged with Criminal Possession of a Narcotic Drug 4th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash with Property Damage, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. He was also issued multiple traffic summonses and charged with multiple outstanding warrants.
A passenger in the vehicle, Edwin Jefferson, 48, of Mastic Beach, was located on John Drive in Farmingville and charged with multiple outstanding warrants.
The two will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 2.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
