Wainscott Man Charged With Felony DWI After Crash: Cops

WAINSCOTT, NY — A Wainscott man has been charged with felony driving while intoxicated, police said.

According to East Hampton Town Police, Joaquin Franco-Cruz, 31, was arrested on Jan. 18 on Montauk Highway in Wainscott and charged with first degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a felony; aggravated DWI, per se, .18 of 1 percent or more alcohol, prior conviction within 10 years, a felony; and DWI, previous conviction within 10 years, a felony.

Franco-Cruz was heading west on Montauk Highway in a blue 2004 Ford when he sideswiped a vehicle stopped in traffic in the eastbound lane, police said. He then continued heading west, lost control of his vehicle, and crashed into a utility pole and fire hydrant located off the roadway on the north side of Montauk Highway, police said.

While approaching the scene, an officer saw Franco-Cruz walking north on East Gate Road; he appeared very unsteady on his feet, police said. Upon investigation, there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his speech was slurred, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests administered, police said.

A criminal history check revealed that he had a previous conviction within the past 10 years out of Southampton Village Justice Court, police said.

Franco-Cruz was released on his own recognizance and issued an appearance ticket, police said.