STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Pleasant Plains man was drunk behind the wheel of a car after a hit-and-run crash on the West Shore Expressway, authorities allege.
John Bernardo, 42, of Pleasant Plains Avenue, had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he was tested following the crash on Dec. 5 at about 3:35 p.m., according to the criminal complaint.
Bernardo was driving a black 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee that collided with a 2017 Chevrolet SUV on the New Jersey-bound expressway near the exit for Arthur Kill Road, police said.
The defendant drove away without exchanging identification or insurance information, the complaint alleges.
The 55-year-old driver of the Chevy did not report any injuries at the scene, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
Bernardo was placed under arrest at about 5 p.m. on Arthur Kill Road near Rossville Avenue, according to police.
Officers allege that Bernardo showed signs of intoxication that included watery eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol on his breath.
“I guess I should be honest,” the criminal complaint alleges Bernardo told police. “I had more than two beers. I had four shots of vodka. There’s two in the backpack you guys took.”
Bernardo registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.225, the complaint alleges. The legal limit is 0.08.
The car that he allegedly hit was damaged on the front driver’s side.
The defendant faces several charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated; driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol; and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.
Bernardo pleaded not guilty to all charges, was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on Feb. 2, according to public records.
An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.