Three in hospital, one in jail following this
(photo: Bill Nickisher)
CARMEL – A Brewster family was seriously injured when their car was struck head-on by a vehicle allegedly driven by an intoxicated motorist.
The crash took place on Christmas Eve around 5:30 when, according to Carmel Police, a Nissan driven by Victor Diaz, 66, of Brewster was westbound on Drewville Road near Drew Lane when an eastbound Ford driven by Thomas Kiernan, 66, of Carmel crossed into the oncoming lane and struck the smaller vehicle head-on.
Mahopac and Carmel fire department personnel were summoned along with paramedics from the EM STAR Ambulance Company, ambulances from the Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mahopac FD and a medivac helicopter.
Diaz suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to the Westchester Medical Center while his wife, Maria and 18-year-old son Victor, were taken to Danbury Hospital.
Police Chief Michael Cazzari said Kiernan escaped unhurt but was arrested for felony counts of aggravated DWI since his blood alcohol threshold measured in excess of .18 percent or more than twice the legal limit for drunken driving. Additional felony charges of first degree vehicular assault were also lodged.
Kiernan was sent to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 bond.
Police closed Drewville Road for more than five hours until the accident investigation was completed.
Also assisting were members of the Carmel and Mahopac FD Fire Police units, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office personnel and the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services.
