David Mascarella returned to the Suffolk County Police Department in New York on Thursday following an 18-month unpaid suspension for driving drunk and crashing into a car carrying two children, one of whom was permanently injured. In August 2020, Mascarella spent his day off golfing and lunching during which he claimed he drank up to three 12-ounce vodka soda cocktails, Newsday reported after an extensive investigation.

That day, the off-duty police officer drove his pickup truck 20 mph over the speed limit while texting and rear-ended a compact vehicle driven by Kevin Cavooris. Cavooris’s two young sons were passengers in his car.

When the crash occurred, instead of calling 911, Mascarella called his union delegate. At the scene, a detective said he wanted to administer a breathalyzer test but the responding sergeant contacted a Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association delegate who drove Mascarella away before the test was given, according to Newsday.