Boat Crashes Into Jetty At Shinnecock Canal; Man Charged With BWI: PD

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Mastic Beach man was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated after crashing into a jetty at the Shinnecock Canal in Hampton Bays Sunday, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, the crash took place at about 8:50 p.m. Southampton Town police, as well as the Southampton Town marine patrol, responded to a 911 call regarding a 33-foot Grady-White center console boat that crashed into the Shinnecock Canal jetty on the Great Peconic Bay side, coming to rest on the beach at Meschutt Beach County Park, authorities said.

Upon arrival, the captain of the vessel, Edward Hillkewicz, 28, was found to be intoxicated and placed under arrest, police said. Hillkewicz, along with several other passengers onboard the vessel, were treated at the scene by the Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps for injuries sustained and transported to area hospitals, police said.

The vessel was disabled on the beach, awaiting removal, police said.

Hillkewicz was charged with boating while intoxicated, an E felony; second-degree vehicular assault, an E felony; reckless operation of a vessel, an A misdemeanor, and several summonses related to New York State's navigation law, police said.

The Southampton Town Police detective squad is investigating the incident.