A hit-and-run driver led police on a wild made-for-TV chase across several Long Island highways Sunday before cops ran down the Brentwood man and tackled him.
Christian Reyes, 29, was driving a black 1997 Toyota Camry just before noon when he allegedly slammed into a 1998 Honda and took off without stopping, police said.
State troopers first spotted the Camry traveling near Exit 30 on the Southern State Parkway in the town of Oyster Bay. When they tried to pull him over, Reyes — cops allege he was high on drugs — hit the gas and sped off, teeing up a dangerous high-speed chase.
Reyes, recklessly weaved in and out of traffic and nearly collided with numerous cars, police said, as he heading west toward the Belt Parkway, eventually making his way in the direction of JFK Airport.
As traffic swelled, Reyes started sideswiping cars and even reversed into police cruisers and other vehicles in a desperate attempt to get loose, according to authorities.
Eventually, the Long Island traffic got too heavy causing Reyes to jump out of his vehicle.
Officers chased him down and tackled him though before he could get far. Reyes suffered minor injuries during the arrest and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center.
None of the drivers on the road reported serious injuries, but the frightening scene caused major traffic delays and left multiple cars in its wake damaged.
Reyes is now facing a laundry list of charges — driving while impaired by drugs, three counts of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, fleeing from police, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
Police are awaiting a toxicology report to determine the type of drug.
