East Hampton Cop Car Overturned in Amagansett

An officer responding as backup to burglary call in Amagansett on Wednesday night flipped his car after he lost control of his car on the wet pavement.

Officer Ray Rau was not seriously injured in the single-car crash on Old Stone Highway, near Albert's Landing Road, at about 11:30 p.m. "He's very lucky," Captain Mike Sarlo said on Thursday morning.

Between his seat-belt and the metal divider that helped to keep the roof from completely caving in, creating "a little cocoon," Sarlo said the department is counting its blessings -- particularly because the call he was responding to appears to have been a false alarm.

Sarlo said a possible burglary in progress had been reported on Lafayette Street in Springs, though it appears to have been a misunderstanding. A neighbor of a house that was unoccupied had spotted a car in the circular driveway and when he shined a light on the car, it took off. The neighbor followed the car towards Barnes Landing and called 911.

Another officer pulled the vehicle over and found two occupants inside, so she called for back-up, according to Sarlo, who said no charges have been filed, as it seems the car may have just been turning around in the driveway.

"Rau was on the way to assist and lost control of the vehicle . . . overturning it and went off the road."

Rau was reported as pinned in the vehicle, so the heavy rescue equipment was called to the scene. However, Fire Chief Mark Bennett said that Rau crawled out of the window on his own.

"He's sore, banged up, but he was treated and released" from Southampton Hospital early on Wednesday morning, Sarlo said.

Chief Ed Ecker, who is on vacation, responded to the scene and to the hospital, Sarlo added.

Rau has been with the town police since September 2005, but is a veteran officer, having served 12 years with the New York City Police Department, Sarlo said.

"We're very thankful this time of year," Sarlo said, "especially because it turned out to be a false alarm. You never know when you get a call like that."