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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Adam Chrzanowski, 45, was extradited from Poland and arraigned Monday on manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal 2022 drunk driving crash in Cutchogue that killed a 60-year-old woman, Suffolk County prosecutors announced. Chrzanowski had fled to his native Poland in March 2024 after being indicted on 16 counts related to the head-on collision on Route 25.
The deadly crash occurred in 2022 when Chrzanowski was allegedly driving a 2021 Toyota RAV4 on Route 25 in Cutchogue, according to prosecutors. Police say Chrzanowski attempted to pass another vehicle when his SUV smashed head-on into a 2019 Nissan Rogue. The passenger in the Nissan sustained fatal injuries in the collision and died six months later as a result of those injuries, prosecutors said.
The driver of the Nissan Rogue suffered severe injuries in the crash, including spine and rib fractures, according to court documents. The collision’s impact was significant enough to cause substantial damage to both vehicles, as shown in photos released by the Cutchogue Fire Department, which responded to the scene.
“This defendant’s alleged dangerous and deadly choice to drive drunk caused the death of a victim who was simply headed home after visiting her grandchild,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement. “When it was finally time to face the charges for his actions, he allegedly fled the country.”
In December 2022, Chrzanowski was indicted on multiple charges including manslaughter, vehicular assault, drunk driving and a series of other related charges stemming from the fatal collision. However, instead of facing justice, Chrzanowski boarded a flight to Poland on March 10, 2024, prosecutors said, effectively making him a fugitive from justice for nearly two years.
Chrzanowski’s time as a fugitive came to an end when agents from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshal Service tracked him down in Poland and arrested him. The international law enforcement operation successfully brought him back to Long Island to face the outstanding charges. Following his extradition, he was arraigned on the original indictment Monday in Suffolk County Court.
Suffolk County Court Judge Bryan Browns ordered Chrzanowski held without bail pending his next scheduled court appearance, which is set for April 18, prosecutors said. The judge’s decision to deny bail reflects the serious nature of the charges and Chrzanowski’s demonstrated flight risk, having already fled the country once to avoid prosecution.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on Route 25 in Cutchogue, a major east-west arterial road that runs through the heart of Long Island’s North Fork. This stretch of roadway serves as a primary thoroughfare connecting the North Fork’s wine country and rural communities to more populated areas of Suffolk County. Route 25 in the Cutchogue area is known for its mix of local and tourist traffic, particularly during warmer months when visitors travel to the region’s vineyards and beaches.
The roadway where the crash occurred features two lanes in each direction in most sections, with periodic passing zones that allow vehicles to overtake slower traffic. The crash happened when Chrzanowski allegedly attempted such a passing maneuver, highlighting the inherent risks of overtaking on two-lane roads, particularly when drivers are impaired.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The case represents a complex international legal effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies. After Chrzanowski’s flight to Poland in March 2024, prosecutors worked with federal authorities to secure his extradition. The Department of Justice and U.S. Marshal Service coordinated with Polish authorities to locate and arrest the fugitive, demonstrating the reach of U.S. law enforcement in pursuing suspects who flee overseas.
The 16-count indictment handed down in December 2022 includes the most serious charge of manslaughter, reflecting prosecutors’ belief that Chrzanowski’s alleged drunk driving directly caused the victim’s death. Additional charges of vehicular assault address the serious injuries suffered by the Nissan’s driver, while the drunk driving charges form the foundation of the prosecution’s case that impairment was the underlying cause of the fatal collision.