By Sophia Chang
Newsday
Copyright 2007 Newsday, Inc.
NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. — A Nassau County Police Department ambulance driver was injured yesterday after four men in a passing car, who authorities said were hunting for a police vehicle, hurled a 5-pound log at his head, causing him to drive into a utility pole in North Bellmore, officials said.
Regis Beneville, 34, an eight-year civilian veteran of the ambulance corps, suffered back and neck injuries including a possible concussion after the 18-inch-long log sailed through his open window into the ambulance around 2:30 a.m. yesterday, said Det. Lt. Karl Schoepp at a news conference at police headquarters in Mineola.
Beneville, who was on his way to serve as backup for a call about a man assaulted in a Uniondale bar, was driving north on Newbridge Road near Jerusalem Avenue when he passed a dark-colored sedan heading south with the four men inside, Schoepp said.
The man sitting behind the sedan’s driver threw the log, which struck the back of Beneville’s head as he turned away, Schoepp said. Beneville lost control of the ambulance and drove into a Long Island Power Authority pole, damaging the front end.
The four men were described in their late teens to early 20s, riding in a sedan that may have four doors and may be a Saturn, Schoepp said.
“It appears that a police vehicle was targeted,” Schoepp said, noting that the ambulance was clearly marked with police insignia and that no other incidences of logs being thrown at cars were reported yesterday. “People just don’t carry a green, moldy piece of wood ... in their passenger side.”
“It is a reckless disregard for human life and a direct attack on the Nassau County Police Department,” said County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
Beneville was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was treated and released, police said. He couldn’t be reached for comment. Police ask that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.