RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — A 23-year-old Mastic Beach man has been indicted on reckless endangerment and DWI-related charges after prosecutors said he led Suffolk County sheriff’s deputies on a 15-mile chase at speeds above 100 mph, caused five crashes and injured two people.
Vladimir Alonzo was arraigned Aug. 14 on an indictment stemming from the June 27 pursuit along Sunrise Highway, Montauk Highway and William Floyd Parkway.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Alonzo was driving a 2022 Ram 3500 eastbound on Sunrise Highway at about 12:25 a.m. when a Suffolk County sheriff’s deputy spotted the truck traveling more than 100 mph near Exit 50.
Prosecutors said Alonzo initially pulled onto the shoulder near Exit 52. As the deputy got out and approached, Alonzo allegedly sped away, weaving through traffic before leaving the roadway near Exit 57S, hitting a street sign and driving through residential yards along the South Service Road.
Alonzo allegedly continued south on Yaphank Avenue, ran a red light at Montauk Highway and crashed into a telephone pole.
Deputies later boxed in the truck, but prosecutors said Alonzo rammed one of their vehicles and again fled, driving east on Montauk Highway at high speeds as other motorists pulled off the roadway to avoid being struck.
At the intersection of Montauk Highway and William Floyd Parkway, Alonzo allegedly ran another red light and struck a 2026 Toyota Sienna carrying two people. The minivan spun and overturned.
Both occupants were taken to NYU Langone-Suffolk Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and were later released.
Prosecutors said Alonzo continued south on William Floyd Parkway for several miles, made a U-turn through the grass median and headed north. He then allegedly tried to make a right turn at high speed, left the roadway and crashed into the side of a CVS Pharmacy at Havenwood Drive East.
The truck became wedged between a pillar and the building. Deputies found Alonzo in the driver’s seat and allegedly discovered open alcohol containers inside the vehicle.
He was arrested at the scene. Investigators later determined that his driver’s license had expired, prosecutors said.
Alonzo was indicted on two Class D felony charges, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal mischief. He also faces three counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault, third-degree unlawful fleeing from a police officer, leaving the scene of an incident involving personal injury, two DWI counts, driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs or alcohol and drugs, reckless driving and multiple traffic infractions.
Alonzo pleaded not guilty during his Aug. 14 arraignment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas. Goglas suspended Alonzo’s driving privileges and ordered him released under supervision without bail. Prosecutors said the charges are not bail eligible under current New York law.
Alonzo is scheduled to return to court Sept. 25. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
He is represented by attorney Gregory Grizopoulos. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney MacDonald Drane of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Vehicular Crime Bureau.
The charges are accusations, and Alonzo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
