Man Drives Car At Suffolk Officer During Dix Hills Chase: SCPD

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Suffolk police on Friday morning arrested the man who police said led officers on a high-speed chase and drove his car at an officer in Dix Hills on Thursday morning.

Kevin Rodriguez was driving a 2017 Ford Mustang westbound on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills when a Highway Patrol officer tried to pull Rodriguez over for an HOV violation around 7:50 a.m. Thursday, police said.

Rodriguez fled westbound, speeding while weaving through traffic, police said. Another Highway Patrol officer, who was working an accident scene a short distance away, responded to help with Rodriguez, police said. Rodriguez drove the Mustang at the officer as a tire deflation device was being used on the LIE near Exit 51, police said. The officer avoided the Mustang, and Rodriguez continued driving westbound on the LIE to an unknown location, police said.

Third Precinct Gang Unit officers found Rodriguez and arrested him at his home at midnight, police said.

Rodriguez was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. He was also issued summonses for multiple traffic violations. The Mustang was impounded.

Rodriguez was held overnight at the Second Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.