LI Man Indicted After Crashing Vehicle Into Police Car, Injuring 2 Officers: DA

HOLBROOK, NY — A Nassau man was indicted after reportedly crashing his vehicle into an occupied, unmarked police car in Medford and injuring another officer during an attempt to flee, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Jeffrey Fairweather, 43, of Nassau, was indicted on multiple charges including two counts of second-degree assault, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on September 2, detectives of the Suffolk County Property and Auto Crime Unit were conducting surveillance for an investigation into auto stripping crimes when officers spotted Fairweather crossing Route 112 in Medford on foot, Tierney said.

Fairweather was spotted entering the parking lot area of a car dealership and then seen leaving a short time later carrying a bumper, two headlights, and a front grille that he reportedly stripped from a 2023 Hyundai Palisade that was parked for sale in the car lot, the DA said.

When officers moved in to investigate, Fairweather ignored their commands to stop, entered his vehicle, and crashed head-on into an undercover police vehicle at a high speed while attempting to flee, Tierney said.

The collision extensively damaged the police vehicle and caused the detective to sustain neck, back, and foot injuries, the DA said.

Fairweather fled on foot into the surrounding area, Tierney said.

About two hours later, Fifth Precinct officers spotted Fairweather near a storage facility in Holbrook, the DA said.

When they approached him, Fairweather disobeyed their commands to stop and again fled on foot; during the pursuit, another officer was injured after he fell on the pavement and sustained injuries to his knees and a gash to his elbow, which required several stitches, Tierney said.

Fairweather was arrested shortly after, the DA said.

On Thursday, Fairweather was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz on charges including two counts of second-degree assault, Class D violent felonies; one count of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; one count of third-degree criminal mischief, a Class E felony; one count of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony; and one count of third-degree auto stripping, a Class A misdemeanor, Tierney said.

Justice Horowitz ordered Fairweather held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $350,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, Tierney said.

Fairweather is due back in court on November 13 and being represented by Sean Dixon, who was not immediately available for comment.

"Our police officers risk their lives every day to protect the community, and this defendant allegedly chose to endanger them rather than face the consequences of his actions," said Tierney. "He now faces serious violent felony charges for allegedly injuring the very people who put themselves in harm’s way to keep Suffolk County safe."