Allegedly High Driver Causes M.V. Crash
A Glendale man who was allegedly high on drugs while behind the wheel was cuffed by police last Wednesday, Oct. 17, after he crashed his car into a truck and a bank on a Middle Village shopping strip, law enforcement sources said.
The suspect was identified by authorities as 32-year-old Salvatore Mortillaro of 82nd Avenue.
Reportedly, the trouble began at around 5 p.m. last Wednesday in the vicinity of Metropolitan Avenue and 78th Street.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Mortillaro was behind the wheel of a gray 2008 Infiniti G35 traveling eastbound on Metropolitan Avenue when he swerved over the double yellow line and into oncom- ing traffic.
Seconds later, police said, his carl allegedly collided head on with a truck. Following the impact, it was reported, Mortillaro allegedly backed his vehicle up at a high rate of speed, causing the car to mount the sidewalk, knock down a tree and crash into the front door of a nearby Citibank branch.
Two people who were inside the branch’s ATM area at the time were temporarily trapped after the doors were damaged, it was reported.
Officers from the 104th Precinct and EMS units responded to the scene. There were no reported injuries.
Upon approaching Mortillaro, police noted, 104th Precinct officers noticed that he allegedly exhibited signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and unsteadiness.
Two glass vials containing quantities of cocaine were allegedly found by police inside the suspect’s vehicle, the criminal complaint noted.
Mortillaro was taken into custody by P.O. Laura McCormack of the 104th Precinct and was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
According to court records, he was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Thursday, Oct. 18, before Judge Lenora Gerald and was released on $4,000 bond.
