Police: Erratic Driver Suffers From Insomnia

An erratic driver from Amagansett who led police officers and a concerned citizen on a chase through Water Mill, Bridgehampton and Sagaponack on Friday night turned out to suffer from a sleeping disorder, according to police.

A Springs resident called 911 shortly after 9 p.m. to report that a black Dodge pickup truck on Montauk Highway in Water Mill had crossed into oncoming traffic several times. He reported trailing the driver with his emergency flashers on to alert other motorists to the danger. He said the erratic driver headed east to the Bridgehampton Commons and parked there, but drove away traveling west on Montauk Highway just as police arrived. The driver then took many back roads, speeding and at one point hitting the train underpass near Maple and Lumber lanes before getting back on Montauk Highway headed east, the witness said.

The witness said he then followed the driver to Sagaponack, where he pulled into a driveway on Parsonage Lane. Police arrived and subjected the driver to a sobriety test, but said there was no indication of drug or alcohol use.

The man has a known history of insomnia and had not slept for two or three days before going driving, police said, adding that he “was unable to link events leading up to the interview.” He was taken to by Ambulance for an evaluation. Police had no further details.

Update: Police said Tuesday that the driver is being referred to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get medical clearance to drive again.