Riverhead Man Charged with Felony DWI After Crashing Into Hampton Bays Building

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A 34-year-old Riverhead man has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his vehicle into a building in Hampton Bays, New York on Monday night. The collision caused damage to the building, and the driver, Manuel Santos Cua, was found to have been operating his vehicle in an intoxicated state. He was taken into custody and charged with aggravated DWI, a felony, as well as several traffic infractions.

Why it matters

Drunk driving incidents that result in property damage or injuries are a major public safety concern in communities across the country. This case highlights the ongoing need for stricter enforcement and penalties to deter impaired driving and protect innocent bystanders.

The details

According to the Southampton Town Police, the crash occurred around 7:29 pm on Monday at the intersection of North Road and Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays. One of the vehicles involved collided with a nearby building, causing damage. Police arrested the driver, Manuel Santos Cua, and determined he had been operating his vehicle while intoxicated. Santos Cua was transported to the Southampton Town Police headquarters, where he was held for morning arraignment.

• The crash took place on Monday, March 24, 2026 at around 7:29 pm.

What’s next

The judge will decide at Santos Cua's arraignment on Tuesday morning whether to allow him to be released on bail or keep him in custody as the case proceeds.