Drunken Driver Jumps Curb, Hits 3-Year-Old Girl: Nassau Police

SYOSSET, NY — Two people, including a 3-year-old, were injured when a drunken driver drove off the road and hit them while they were walking on the sidewalk, police said.

According to Nassau County police, Datt Varum, 36, of Ann Drive, Syosset, was driving a 2020 Hyundai south on Ann Drive near Betty Street, at 4:36 p.m. Monday when he drove off the road. Police said he hit a 3-year-old girl and a 33-year-old man who were walking on the sidewalk, and then hit a parked car.

The girl suffered cuts to her face and legs, and the man had fractures to his face. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The man who was struck is the girl's uncle and the child's mother told News 12 that her brother-in-law pulled her daughter out of the way at the last second.

Police said that when officers arrived, they saw that Varum had glassy eyes and slurred speech and that his breath smelled of alcohol. He was placed under arrest.

Varum is charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, third-degree assault and driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday.