Suffolk County Police: Alleged LIE Drag Racing Dad Had No License
MASTIC, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Three strikes, you're out.
Police said he had no license, was drag racing in the middle of the night and brought his children along for the dangerous drive.
On Tuesday neighbors say they are outraged a Long Island father got out on a very low bail, reports CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.
Just before 3 a.m. Tuesday and bailed out of jail, the alleged Long Island drag racing dad kicked off his boots and returned to his Mastic home, reuniting with his two children, whose toys were scattered in the yard. The occupants of the home hid behind closed shades.
Sheriff's deputies said the father, 25-year-old Darnell Anderson, was pushing speeds of nearly 120 mph at 2 a.m. Sunday down the Long Island Expressway, risking the lives of dozens of innocent people, including his own flesh and blood.
"We clocked him at 118, so nearly 120 with a 7-month-old and a 3-year-old in the car with him, racing on the Expressway," Suffolk County Sheriff's Chief Michael Sharkey said.
Sharkey said Anderson was in a reckless speed contest with a drunken friend, Darryl Squires of Bay Shore, while Anderson's untethered 3-year-old son, and 7-month- old daughter, who was strapped in a car seat, were captive in the back seat.
"There's no reason to drag race -- with kids in the car, or to drag race at all. And wasn't the other one drinking?" neighbor Jane Tannenbaum said.
Robinwood Drive neighbors claimed Anderson often races along their quiet road.
"You see it's about a mile straight with stop signs, and he'd blow through stop signs. A lot of the neighbors were concerned," Larry Tannenbaum said.
Police said Anderson had no license and never should have been allowed behind the wheel.
A family friend who helped rescue the children defended Anderson's character.
"He's a good father. He takes care of his kids. I don't know how this happened. He wouldn't usually do something like this," Stephanie Sutton said.
Some of the neighbors, who said the father is a habitual street racer, were outraged his bail was set at just $1,000 after he allegedly drag raced with kids, without even a license to drive.
Anderson's wife refused comment. She told police she was at work when her husband took their children on the alleged joyride.
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