Long Island Police: Drunk Driver Destroys Handicapped Van In Crash

HOLBROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Long Island police said a repeat drunk driver crashed into a specially-fitted handicapped van.

CBS2's Dick Brennan reported the collision was so violent that both vehicles caught fire.

Cellphone video showed the intense fire that engulfed the two vehicles in the middle of the night Sunday in a quiet residential street in Holbrook.

Skidmarks showed the path of the out of control vehicle that left the handicapped van in a charred ruin.

Danny Ferencsik, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, considered the van his lifeline to visit friends and go to school.

"I couldn't believe it. I mean, at first I didn't know what was going on until my mom told me. I was just in shock," the 18-year-old said.

His mother, Theresa Ferencsik, said police charged with driver with DWI.

"He has prior offenses. There's kids playing on this block. Are they going to wait till he kills somebody, or is he going to get a slap on the wrist?" she said.

Police confirmed that Avinasha Mahadeo, 27, was previously charged with DWI in 2014. He's currently out on bail.

Ferencsik added a neighbor's overgrown bamboo trees frequently fall into her yard and that the neighbor has been issued numerous violations.

"It's disgusting that it seems the county or the town is gonna wait until a tragedy happens that I can't get my son out of my yard or a drunk driver is on the streets again," she said.

The family said they'll now be forced to rent a van for nearly $100 a day, while hoping insurance pays for a replacement.

Mahadeo will be back in court next month.