New York Man Arrested for Drunken Hit-and-Run Crash

On Oct. 11, deputies arrested a New York man after he was driving drunk, hit a vehicle, and left the scene of the crash. The evening before, just before midnight, deputies responded to investigate a hit-and-run crash on Big Horn Drive in Palm Coast. According to the victim, the driver who hit his vehicle seemed confused or intoxicated, then fled the scene. Deputies began searching the area for the suspect’s vehicle, a Chevrolet truck. Deputies observed the truck traveling on Belle Terre Parkway, where it was drifting in and out of its lane, and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, identified as Dariuz Knapik, 59, of Woodbridge, New York, deputies noticed he had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath, was unsteady, and had bloodshot eyes. Upon completion of the crash investigation, deputies began a DUI investigation. While conducting a series of field sobriety exercises, deputies observed Knapik had difficulty understanding requests and was unable to complete multiple exercises. “This guy was clearly too drunk to be behind the wheel, as he caused a crash then fled the scene,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “He’s lucky nobody was hurt or killed, and he earned himself a trip to the Green Roof Inn to sober up.” Deputies arrested Knapik for DUI and DUI causing property damage. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he provided breath tests. The first test indicated he had a blood alcohol content of 0.183 and the second indicated a BAC of 0.190. Knapik was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released on a $2,000 bond. ABOUT FCSO The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is under the direction of Sheriff Rick Staly. Serving the citizens of Flagler County, FL since 1917. Follow us on social media! • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flaglersheriff/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flaglersher... • Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlaglerSheriff