Husband and Wife Killed by Drunk Driver on Long Island: Police

The driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries then later arrested

A 23-year-old man was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed his Audi sedan into a pickup truck, killing a husband and wife on Long Island.

William Kear, 67, and his wife, Joanne Kear, 66, were were returning from dinner at their daughter's home when they were killed in the crash in Ronkonkoma. The two are from Medford.

Police said Kyle Glinka was driving drunk in an Audi A4 when he crashed into the Kears’ Chevrolet pickup truck at Ocean and Lakeland avenues at about 9 p.m.

The husband and wife were rushed to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, but did not survive their injuries.

Glinka was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries but could be in the hospital for as much as two weeks, authorities say. He was later arrested and charged with DWI.

Authorities say that Glinka allegedly made statements that he had been drinking and allegedly smelled like alcohol. Blood-alcohol level tests are pending.

The Kears' next-door neighbor, Laura Stepper, said that the couple lived for their children and grandchildren and were great neighbors. She said that when it snowed, they would shovel her driveway for her without asking.

"They were the kind of neighbors we appreciated when we were kids," Stepper said.

The couple's family declined comment Monday afternoon.

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