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Patchogue, Miller Place, Shirley and Sound Beach.
All saw what was described as insane and illegal drift racing events Saturday night into early Sunday morning on Long Island. One person was struck at Gateway Plaza, a massive shopping center off Sunrise Highway in Patchogue.
That person, a 19-year-old female watching one of the car meets in the parking lot, was struck by a vehicle that was doing donuts and then fled the scene at approximately 1:15 a.m., Suffolk Police said.
She self-transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
While police were dispersing the area, one driver was observed by officers driving recklessly and fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed, police said. That driver, Danya Northington, 19, of Roosevelt, was soon located and charged with third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, as well as reckless endangerment.
Police were also called to William Floyd Parkway in Shirley and Route 25A in Sound Beach and Miller Place in the early morning hours for vehicles in the roadway obstructing traffic. Police dispersed the vehicles.
A 2023 Dodge was impounded in Shirley after the vehicle stalled and the driver fled on foot.
Police are investigating if the incidents are connected.
In the meantime, one town supervisor is fuming.
Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico took to social media today with a message for Suffolk Police and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney to take swift action against the racers, and restore order to the town roadways.
“Fortunately for everyone there are cameras at virtually every single intersection where this occurred and along the routes,” Panico wrote. “I encourage our Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney to seize all the vehicles if allowed by the law.”
He also wrote that in Miller Place, “because of this incredibly reckless activity,” a local ambulance was held up from an emergency call.
Just watch the video below from Saturday night at Route 25A and Miller Place Road to get a better idea of what’s happening on Long Island roadways.
ARREST MADE: At least one person has been detained in connection to the late night car meet street race that occurred over night in Miller Place. pic.twitter.com/l8EjU5DJCp
— Greater Long Island 📰 (@Greater_LI) October 6, 2024
Drift racing is sanctioned on legal tracks but is highly dangerous when performed by non-professional drivers on public roads.
It involves drivers intentionally oversteering a car so that it could slide sideways while maintaining control.
One area resident took issue with using the term drift racing to describe the overnight chaos.
“I feel like I speak for car enthusiasts as a whole, not just on Long Island but nationwide, that these takeover events are the cancer of the car community,” he said. “I really just need to say using terms like drift racing would require drifting or racing, which a takeover is neither.
“It’s just a bunch of morons in … Infinitis and Chargers doing donuts. Very poorly, I might add.”
Young people can also be seen in the video above documenting the antics.
“This criminal behavior cannot and will not be tolerated,” Panico told Greater Long Island. “These vehicles should be seized and the maximum penalties allowed by law should be levied. I’m confident that our police department and district attorney will carefully review all available footage, conduct the necessary interviews and pursue all leads.
“Law and order must be upheld.”
He also said all the takeover events were pre-planned.
Editor’s note: This story was updated since its initial publication to include information from police.
