Suffolk County Fire Rescue Dispatcher Charged With DWI In Pedestrian's Death

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A dispatcher for Suffolk County Fire Rescue is charged with driving while intoxicated after a pedestrian was struck and killed on Long Island early Friday morning, police said.

It happened at the corner of Suffolk Avenue and Church Street in Central Islip around 12:15 a.m.

James Fitzpatrick, 37, was driving a pickup truck westbound on Suffolk Avenue when the vehicle struck 63-year-old Robert Fornasier, police said.

Fornasier was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He was placed under arrest for DWI based on observation of the responding officers," said Det. Sgt. James Madden.

But Fitzpatrick's attorney insisted the investigation will reveal his client was not drunk and that it was just a tragic accident, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.

"A pedestrian came out of no where on Suffolk Avenue," he said.

Fitzpatrick was scheduled to be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.