Prosecutors: Man admitted drinking, using drugs before head-on crash with officer

<p>The New Hyde Park man who crashed head-on into a Nassau County police officer's vehicle on New Year's Day had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit, according to prosecutors.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 2, 2018, 11:07 PM

Updated 2,307 days ago

Share:

The New Hyde Park man who crashed head-on into a Nassau County police officer's vehicle on New Year's Day had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit, according to prosecutors. 
Prosecutors say Keith Dillon, 29, was driving his Dodge Durango south on Glen Cove Road in Greenvale around 2:20 a.m. They say he allegedly swerved and ended up riding the center median before slamming into Officer Willard Gomes' unmarked patrol car – throwing it about 50 feet into another car.
During his hospital bedside arraignment at Nassau University Medical Center, prosecutors said Keith Dillon told police at the scene that he had been at a number of establishments before the crash. 
They say he told them he had six to eight glasses of wine, shots of Jameson whiskey and multiple beers. 
Officials say he also admitted to taking medicinal marijuana at some point in the night. In his truck, prosecutors say there were two bags of Xanax and what appeared to be cocaine residue.
Police say Gomes suffered bleeding on the brain, a broken vertebra in his neck, a broken arm and leg and other serious injuries. 
The Nassau PBA president released a statement that said in part, "I would like to commend Officer Gomes for his commitment to the department and for putting his life on the line during one of the busiest nights of the year for drinking and driving. Our prayers are with him and his family during this time of crisis and we hope he will fully recover as quickly as possible."
Dillon pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular assault, reckless assault, DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $100,000.


More from News 12
0:27
Police: Norwalk man arrested in connection to Main Street stabbing

Police: Norwalk man arrested in connection to Main Street stabbing

1:50
Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

1:43
Hundreds of Fairfield University students celebrate annual springtime Clam Jam

Hundreds of Fairfield University students celebrate annual springtime Clam Jam

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:59
Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

0:21
Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

0:26
Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

0:22
Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

0:41
'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:24
Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

2:37
Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

2:13
‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

1:01
Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

0:19
Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

1:58
New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York