Officer Hit By Drunken Driver, Also Had the Most DWI Collars

East Hampton Town Police Officer Vincent Rantinella has had the highest number of driving while intoxicated arrests on the force for three years — including 2011, when he only worked half the year after he fell victim to a drunken driver.

Legis. Jay Schneiderman, I-Montauk, honored Rantinella at the Suffolk County Legislature’s general meeting in the Riverhead County Center on Tuesday.

Rantinella was back on the job in January, after seven months of recovery from injuries he received when in Ridge on May 28. He suffered a broken sternum and leg injury as well as multiple lacerations and underwent at least three surgeries.

The 31-year-old father had just finished a county-paid STOP DWI enforcement shift when the crash occurred about five miles from his home around 4:15 a.m. , 26, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor drunken driving. The outcome of the case was not immediately known.

After the crash, Police Chief Ed Ecker said, "It could have been a lot worse. He could have easily been killed. Thank God he was wearing his seat-belt."

In a show of solidarity, members of the department to help ease the burden of being unable to work. 

It's not the first year Rantinella was recognized by the county for his top performance. He had the highest number of DWI arrests in 2010 and 2009.

The exact number of DWI arrests he made was not immediately available. 

“I hereby extend my congratulations and best wishes to Police Officer Vincent Rantinella," Schneiderman said. "He is a man truly worthy of the day’s honor, and the everlasting admiration and gratitude of Suffolk County.”