(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Adam Chrzanowski, 45, formerly of Riverhead and a native of Poland, was extradited back to the United States from Poland to face charges related to his March 2022 arrest in which he allegedly drove while intoxicated and triggered a head-on, multiple car collision. Elizabeth Post, 60, of Massapequa, a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in the crash, was killed. Chrzanowski fled the country in March 2024 after he was indicted.
“This defendant’s alleged dangerous and deadly choice to drive drunk caused the death of Elizabeth Post, who was simply headed home after visiting her grandchild,” said District Attorney Tierney. “When it was finally time to face the charges for his actions, he allegedly fled the country. I thank the Department of Justice, the United States Marshal Service’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Southold Police Department for helping bring this defendant to justice.”
According to the investigation, on March 6, 2022, at approximately 6:04 p.m., Chrzanowski was driving a 2021 Toyota RAV 4 eastbound on Route 25 in Cutchogue when he allegedly crossed over the double yellow lines attempting to overtake another car. Chrzanowski then allegedly crashed head-on with a 2019 Nissan Rouge that was in the westbound lanes of Route 25, in which Elizabeth Post was in the front passenger seat. Two other vehicles went off the roadway and spun out of control due to the collision.
The driver of the Nissan Rogue suffered multiple fractures to his spine, clavicle, sternum, ribs, and leg. Elizabeth Post required several surgeries for severe internal injuries and fractures. As a result of injuries sustained in the crash, she passed away on September 12, 2022.
On December 21, 2022, Chrzanowski was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge Stephen L. Braslow for the following charges:
· Three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Class B felonies;
· One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
· One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree; a Class D felony;
· Five counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Class C felonies;
· Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
· One count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony;
· Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Class E felonies; and
· One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor.
On March 10, 2024, while the case was pending, Chrzanowski allegedly boarded a plane from JFK Airport and flew to his native Poland to allegedly avoid prosecution on this matter. On March 25, 2024, a bench warrant was issued for his failure to appear on the pending indictment.
Chrzanowski was thereafter indicted for Bail Jumping in the First Degree, and with the assistance of federal and Polish authorities, he was ultimately returned to the United States.
On March 23, 2026, Chrzanowski was arraigned on the new indictment charging him with Bail Jumping in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before County Court Judge Bryan Browns.
Judge Browns ordered Chrzanowski remanded without bail until his next court appearance on April 8, 2026. He faces eight and a third to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count, and two and a third to seven years in prison for the separate indictment charging Bail Jumping. Chrzanowski is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ray Varuolo and Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Grazia Divincenzo of the Appeals and Training Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Roman Wilinski of the Southold Police Department.