Cops Honor Huntington Manor Firefighter

A Huntington Manor firefighter was honored by the Suffolk County Police Department Wednesday for actions which helped lead to the arrest of a driver who fled the scene of a fatal accident.

Christopher Manganello was bestowed the Suffolk County Police Department's Public Service Award at an awards ceremony Wednesday at the Van Nostrand Theatre in Brentwood.

At the department's 46th annual event, police honored sworn officers and private citizens who acted heroically in the past year.

“The heroic behavior of these outstanding individuals serves as an inspiring model for us all,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer. “It is my honor to recognize the efforts of these exceptional men and women for their service to the Suffolk County community.”

 Manganello was presented with the award for actions taken following a crash in Melville on Jan. 24, 2009, involving a driver who became lost as she drove home to Kings Park.

While driving north on New York Avenue, her vehicle was struck from behind by a pick-up truck, which was being operated by an intoxicated driver and she was killed. 

After the crash, the truck driver fled north on New York Avenue in the heavily damaged truck, which was leaking oil and anti-freeze and had its airbags deployed.

Police said Manganello was leaving his home at about 4 a.m. to respond with his fire company to the crash involving the victim. While still in front of his home, he saw the loud, heavily damaged truck traveling east on East 23rd Street.

 Realizing the truck was probably involved in a serious accident and apparently attempting to flee the scene, police said, Manganello followed the truck. The truck continued on to a residential area and parked in the driveway of a house after failing to stop at several more stop signs, according to Manganello.

Stopping a short distance away, Manganello then used a telephone from a nearby house to call police. When police arrived, he gave a description of the driver.

The man, who had run from the truck to the backyard of a nearby residence, was taken into custody by police after being identified by Manganello.

 "If it had not been for the intelligent and quick actions of Mr. Manganello, the highly intoxicated driver surely would have eluded capture," said police in a statement.

The man was found guilty of DUI,  aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter. He was sentenced to four to seven years in prison.