Massapequa Woman Charged with DWAI in Sunrise Highway Crash

A Massapequa woman was arrested in Merrick Friday for driving while ability impaired after causing an , that left a man critically injured,  the Nassau County Police Department's 7th Precinct reported. 

Alexandra Vargas Bradley,  41, was driving a 2008 Lexus eastbound on Sunrise Highway at Dobson Avenue when she hit a 1998 Dodge Suburban that was stopped in traffic, police said.

The impact pushed the Dodge into the vehicle in front of it, causing a chain reaction of four additional vehicles. Bradley then  struck two parked cars before coming to a stop.

The 68-year-old male driving the Dodge was transported to Nassau University Medical Center by a NCPD helicopter, where he was admitted in critical condition, police said.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle hit by the Dodge and the driver of the next vehicle in line were transported to nearby hospitals but were treated and released.

Bradley was transported to NUMC, where she was found to be in possession of prescription Butalbital. She was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular assault, assault, DWAI, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

Butabital is a controlled substance and a barbiturate that is prescribed as a pain reliever. It can be habit forming and its side effects can include depression, lightheadedness and confusion, according to the National Institutes of Health.

It wasn't immediately known why Bradley received the prescription.

Bradley, who police said was still in the hospital Saturday afternoon, will be arraigned when practical.