Far Rockaway man arrested in Woodmere for alleged DWI

A Far Rockaway resident was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Woodmere at 12:49 a.m. on Dec. 9, Nassau police said.

Fourth Precinct officers received a call for a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Elm Street and Broadway in Woodmere on that Thursday. Police found a utility pole split in half and a blue 2018 blue Mercedes sport utility vehicle engulfed in flames with two men lying outside the vehicle, according to police.

Officers immediately helped the two men and secured the scene to limit further damage of nearby homes and oncoming traffic.

The driver, Willie Bryant, 54, of Beach 9th Street, had glassy blood shot eyes and an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath, police said. He suffered two broken ankles. 

The male passenger, 43, suffered a broken collarbone and cracked ribs; both men were taken to local area hospitals for treatment.

Bryant was arrested without incident. Multiple fire departments extinguished the car fire.  No other injuries were reported.

Bryant is charged with third-degree driving while intoxicated, third-degree assault and driving a motor vehicle without a proper license.  He was arraigned on Dec. 13 and released on his own recognizance. No attorney was listed.