MERRICK, NY – Nassau County detectives have arrested a Freeport man following a crash Friday morning, October 10, 2025, that left one person seriously injured on Merrick Road near Merrick Avenue.
According to police, 45-year-old Jeffrey Butt of Hampton Place was driving a 2025 black Chevrolet eastbound on Merrick Road around 10:40 a.m. when his vehicle struck a 50-year-old pedestrian and then collided with a parked U.S. Postal Service truck. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Butt was also transported for treatment of minor injuries.
Investigators determined that Butt was operating his vehicle while under the influence of drugs. Officers at the scene also recovered what appeared to be cocaine and oxycodone pills in his possession.
Following the investigation, Butt was arrested and charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Second-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Vehicular Assault, Reckless Driving, Fifth-Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and two counts of Seventh-Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
He was scheduled for arraignment on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date: | Friday, October 10, 2025 |
| Time: | Approximately 10:40 AM |
| Location: | Merrick Road near Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY |
| Suspect: | Jeffrey Butt, 45, of 55 Hampton Place, Freeport |
| Vehicle: | 2025 Black Chevrolet |
| Victim: | 50-year-old male pedestrian (name not released) |
| Injuries: | Victim hospitalized in stable condition; suspect minor injuries |
| Drugs Found: | Suspected cocaine and oxycodone pills |
| Charges: | DWAI (Drugs), Assault 2nd, Vehicular Assault 2nd, Reckless Driving, CPCS 5th, (2) CPCS 7th |
| Court: | First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead |
| Arraignment Date: | Saturday, October 11, 2025 |
Q&A: Understanding the Charges
Q: What does “Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs” mean?
A: It’s a New York offense that applies when a driver operates a vehicle while under the influence of drugs — even if they are prescribed or legal — in a way that impairs their ability to drive safely.
Q: What is “Second-Degree Assault”?
A: This felony charge generally applies when someone causes serious physical injury to another person, often due to reckless or dangerous behavior, such as driving under the influence.
Q: What makes “Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree” different?
A: Vehicular Assault 2nd is specific to cases where a driver, while impaired by alcohol or drugs, causes serious physical injury to another person through the operation of a vehicle.
Q: What are “Controlled Substance Possession” charges?
A: The Fifth-Degree charge is a felony that indicates possession of a narcotic drug in a quantity suggesting more than personal use. Seventh-Degree possession charges are misdemeanors for smaller amounts or other controlled substances.
Q: What happens next for the defendant?
A: Butt was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead, where a judge determined bail and scheduled future court appearances. Further proceedings will depend on lab test results and the outcome of the investigation.
