By Stacey Altherr and Jennifer Barrios
Newsday
SUFFOLK, N.Y. — A Plainview man accused of killing a Suffolk County police officer while driving drunk early Sunday morning had been arrested last month for drunken driving in Nassau County.
Suffolk police said that Jose Borbon, 23, was driving southbound on Commack Road at Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Commack at 4:15 a.m. Sunday when he hit a Suffolk County police officer’s car while trying to make a left-hand turn.
The police vehicle spun around, struck a traffic pole, and immediately burst into flames. The officer, who police did not identify pending notification of his next of kin, was unable to be rescued because the car ignited so quickly and fully, according to Suffolk County Chief of Detectives Dominick Varrone.
Borbon, who was not injured in the collision, stayed at the scene. He was arrested and taken to the Suffolk Police Department’s Fourth Precinct, where he was charged with driving while intoxicated. Borbon is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.
According to court records, Borbon was arrested in Nassau County on Jan. 4 and was charged with DWI, holding more than one license, criminal possession of a weapon, not signaling, driving without a seat belt, and failure to obey a traffic device. His next court date in that case is in April.
Borbon held a D-class “conditional” license that was issued on Feb. 5, records show. A conditional license is limited and allows a driver to drive only to specified locations, such as a workplace, and is issued to participants in the state’s Drinking Driver rehabilitation program.
Borbon also was involved in four separate accidents in 2006, state Department of Motor Vehicle records show, and his license had been suspended once before, in 2007.
Flags flew at half-staff at the Suffolk County Police Department today in memory of the officer, who had served on the force for more than 20 years.
He had worked in Suffolk County’s Second Precinct, which is based in Huntington. At the time of the crash, he was on his way to aid a fellow officer.
Varrone called him a “dedicated, hardworking police officer.”
“We are devastated over the tragic loss of this fine young officer who lost his life in the line of duty,” said Varrone.
Mourners laid red and yellow flowers at the site of the crash, which is near the Bonwit Inn. One man who brought a bouquet identified himself as an emergency medical technician with the FDNY.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy issued a message of condolence to the officer’s family.
“This officer made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving the people of Suffolk County,” Levy said.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said his department was in mourning, adding: “It’s a sad reminder of the dangers police officers face each and every day.”
Copyright 2009 Newsday