Drunken Driver Fatally Strikes Man Operating Lawn Mower In Fort Salonga: Police

A drunken driver fatally struck a man operating a lawn mower in Fort Salonga on Friday afternoon, police say.

According to authorities, Eugene Coyne, 69, of Kings Park, was driving southbound on Sunken Meadow Road, near Trescott Path, when he struck a man operating a stand behind lawn mower in the roadway at 4:30 p.m. The man was moving from one lawn to another when he was struck, police say.

Nicholas Pineda-Maldonado, 58, was transported to Saint Catherine of Sienna Medical Center in Smithtown for treatment of serious injuries. He was then transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead Saturday morning, police say.

Coyne was arrested and charged with DWI.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Coyne was held overnight at the Third Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment on Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip.

SCPD photo