Drunk Driver in Crash That Severely Injured Nassau Cop Convicted of All Charges

Griffin faces up to 7 years in prison on assault, DWI charges

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Rahiem Griffin has been convicted by a jury of multiple felonies after crashing his car, while drunk, into the parked police vehicle of Nassau Police Officer Ken Baribault, leaving the officer permanently and severely injured in May 2008.

Griffin, 28, of Shirley, was convicted of Assault in the Second Degree, Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Operating Without a License, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. He is due back in court for sentencing July 22. The jury deliberated for less than one full day before reaching a unanimous verdict.

Rice said that in the early morning of May 18, 2008, Officer Baribault was parked on the eastbound shoulder of the Long Island Expressway in Plainview after pulling over a suspected drunken driver. As he sat in his police car, he was slammed into from behind by Griffin’s silver Mercedes-Benz, critically injuring him and leaving him, at the time, fighting for his life. Officer Baribault suffered permanent brain damage and partial paralysis.

Further investigation revealed that an orange juice container in Griffin’s vehicle contained a significant amount of alcohol. Griffin’s blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash was .13.

“This was not an accident. Drunk driving crashes are inevitable when people drink and get behind the wheel,” said Rice. “This verdict won't speed up Ken's recovery, but it will give Ken and his family the knowledge that this defendant was held responsible for the choices that nearly killed a courageous and brave public servant. I will not stand idly by as civilians, public servants and those sworn to protect us are made victims of drunk-drivers. We need collective outrage as a society or this crime will continue to take our loved ones and endanger everyone on our roads.”

Handling the case for the District Attorney's Office is Assistant District Attorney and Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau Maureen McCormick and ADA Melissa Lewis of the County Court Trial Bureau. The defendant is represented by Gerard Brogdon, Esq.