Former Patchogue-Medford schools superintendent Michael Hynes was driving drunk Sunday night when he crashed into a motorcyclist in Sayville, police said.
Hynes, 53, who resigned as Pat-Med’s chief of schools in 2019 after five years at the helm and just this month quit as superintendent of Port Washington schools, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following the wreck that sent 63-year-old Alberto Fernandez of Sayville to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore with serious injuries.
He is scheduled to be appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Monday for his arraignment.
Police said the Sayville resident was driving a 2019 Honda Civic north on Railroad Avenue when he began turning left onto Depot Street and crashed into a 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle heading south on Railroad Avenue about 9:05 p.m.
A longtime school administrator who has worked in education for more than 26 years, Hynes has achieved some national notoriety for his outspoken stances against Common Core and standardized testing, and for his call to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education.
First Board of Education meeting in 2011 and my last in 2024 ❤️ An honor and privilege to serve students, staff, parents and communities.
— Michael J. Hynes (@MikeHynes5) November 23, 2024
We need more superintendents placing kids first in every decision and recommendation they make. Public education is at another… pic.twitter.com/tw56f4LSyd
Hynes was a former education columnist for Greater Long Island who in a 2016 column called for the abolishment of the U.S. Department of Education: “This bloated department of non-educators has wasted tax dollars and ruined millions of children’s lives over the past four decades.”
My school community (Patchogue-Medford School District)….the parents have spoken about the flawed 3-8 testing system in NY. @DianeRavitch @SirKenRobinson @NYSAPE @pasi_sahlberg pic.twitter.com/9dJN1SBdX6
— Michael J. Hynes (@MikeHynes5) April 2, 2019
Hynes over the years has campaigned for kindness and used his platform to combat antisemitism and hatred.
A video message from Dr. Hynes on Port’s commitment to combat antisemitism and hatred 🔵⚪️
— Michael J. Hynes (@MikeHynes5) April 9, 2024
https://t.co/JhlQ9GqN4D
Hynes came to Pat-Med in 2014 — replacing Michael Lacontore — after serving as schools superintendent in Shelter Island. He was replaced by current Pat-Med superintendent Donna Jones in 2019 after he left to take the Port Washington job.
Following Sunday night’s crash, Hynes was treated for minor injuries at South Shore University Hospital, police reported. Both vehicles involved in the wreck were impounded for safety checks.
Top photo: GLI file photo
