Aquebogue Man Arrested on DWI Charge in Hampton Bays Accident That Leaves 1 Dead

An Aquebogue man has been charged with drunken driving after an accident that killed a 56-year-old woman delivering newspapers in Hampton Bays early on Sunday morning, Southampton Town police said.

Detective Sgt. Lisa Costa said Joseph Perez, 31, was behind the wheel of a 2001 Ford pickup truck, heading west on Montauk Highway, when he struck Donna Sartori, a Middle Island resident, and two parked cars in the shoulder at 4:24 a.m. The accident occurred just west of Ponquogue Avenue.

His truck hit a parked car, then Sartori, and then her parked vehicle, police said. Sartori was standing near her car when she was struck, Costa said. Exactly where she was standing is still be investigated. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Perez was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead with non-life threatening injuries, Costa said. 

He is being charged with driving while intoxicated. More serious charges are likely.

Southampton Town police, the New York State Police Forensic ID & Collision Reconstruction Unit, and the Hampton Bays Fire Department responded to the scene. 

Late Sunday morning, when police had already left the scene, a Honda Accord with minor damage to its rear driver's side was left behind at the accident site, in front of Gators Restaurant. Pieces of the other vehicles involved were strewn on the snow-filled sidewalk in front of the Accord, as well as patches of blood.

Asked if Perez has ever been arrested before, Costa said, "Not in regards to DWI." 

Southampton Town Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about the crash to contact the Southampton Town Detectives at 631-702-2230. or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.