Off-Duty Suffolk Officer Charged In Wrong-Way Crash That Left Man Dead On Sunrise Highway

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An off-duty Suffolk County officer was charged Tuesday in connection with a fiery crash that left another driver dead on the Sunrise Highway.

Police said the officer was driving the wrong way.

Police said at 4:38 a.m., a 2016 Ford van and a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder were involved in a crash on the westbound Sunrise Highway between exits 39 and 40 in Central Islip.

The van caught fire and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The off-duty officer was driving the Pathfinder, and was hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.

The officer, Robert Scheuerer, 24, who is assigned to the Suffolk County Police Third Precinct, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a Class D Felony. He was suspended from duty without pay, police said.

Police said Scheuerer was driving east in the westbound lanes.

Scheuerer remained hospitalized late Tuesday and was to be arraigned at a later date, police said. The investigation continued late Tuesday and more charges may be forthcoming, police said.