(Updated: Aug. 22, 7:15 p.m.) Helen Adelson, 71, succumbed to her injuries at Stony Brook University Hospital Monday afternoon. Her 81-year-old husband, Isidore Adelson, died this morning at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore following injuries from the accident.

(Updated: Aug. 22, 6:20 a.m.) Isidore Adelson, 81, of Westhampton, a passenger in one of the westbound vehicles hit by an out-of-control eastbound vehicle on the L.I. Expressway Sunday morning, died at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where he had been transferred from Peconic Bay Medical Center. His wife Helen was also transferred to Southside, where she is listed in critical condition, according to Suffolk County police.

(Updated: 9:10 p.m.)  Christopher Pinales, the 10-year-old son of one of the men killed in the accident on the L.I. Expressway, succumbed to his injuries at Stony Brook University Hospital, Suffolk County Police said in a press release issued this evening.

(Updated: 5:10 p.m) Suffolk County Police have identified the victims and released information about the circumstances of the crash on the Long Island Expressway this morning that claimed three lives.  

Carmelo Pinales, 26, of Hicksville,  was driving a gray Subaru Outback eastbound on the Long Island Expressway when he apparently lost control of the vehicle which crossed over the grassy median, went airborne and struck two westbound vehicles, a BMW and a Honda, that were travelling westbound near Exit 68 at approximately 9:35 a.m.

Pinales and a passenger, his sister Patricia Pinales, 27, of Westbury, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician’s assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The driver of the 2014 Honda, Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Carmelo Pinales’s 10-year-old son, Christopher, also from Hicksville, was transported in critical condition to Stony Brook University Hospital via Suffolk County Police helicopter. Winnifer Garcia, 21, of Hempstead, and Patricia Pinales’s 3-year-old daughter, also of Westbury, were transported to local hospitals where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A passenger in the Honda,  Shelbi Thurau, 29, of Northport, identified by police as Martella’sHis fiancée, was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 

The driver of the 2016 BMW, Marvin Tenzer, 73, and his three passengers, Sandra Tenzer, 69, Helen Adelson, and Isidore Adelson, 81, all of Westhampton, were transported to local hospitals where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives are investigating reports that the driver of the Subaru was traveling at a high rate of speed.

All three vehicles will be impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

The Long Island Expressway was opened to traffic in both directions as of 5:40 p.m.

Original story, previously updated: A horrific crash on the Long Island Expressway this morning has the highway closed down in both directions between exits 68 and 69.

Three people were killed and at least two more were critically injured in the crash, according to Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services radio reports. Three victims were airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, at least one more went to Stony Brook by ground ambulance, while three others were transported by ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center and two were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital.

The driver of an eastbound vehicle lost control and entered the westbound lanes earlier this morning, according to an EMS source.  It is not yet known how many vehicles were involved in the crash, which Suffolk Police said occurred at about 9:35  a.m.  It resulted in injuries to multiple people, including children.

Several EMS agencies were called to assist Manorville ambulance at the scene.including Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to Manorville’s headquarters to stand by.

Manorville Fire Department asked Suffolk County FRES to dispatch a special stress management group to the firehouse to assist first responders.

No further information was immediately available from Suffolk County Police.

Blocked entrance to eastbound Long Island Expressway after fatal crash. Photo: Peter Blasl
Blocked entrance to eastbound Long Island Expressway after fatal crash. Photo: Peter Blasl

The road closure has eastbound traffic backed up on the expressway for miles. It will remain closed for an as-yet undetermined amount of time for the accident investigation.

The L.I. Expressway closure has created traffic jams on area roads, including William Floyd Parkway from the expressway to Route 25 in Ridge and east on Route 25 through Calverton.

 

Eastbound Middle Country Road in Calverton at 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Photo: Peter Blasl
Eastbound Middle Country Road in Calverton at 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Photo: Peter Blasl

This is a developing story. Check RiverheadLOCAL for more information as it becomes available.

 

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that RVAC responded to the scene of the crash.

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Denise is a veteran local reporter, editor and attorney. Her work has been recognized with numerous journalism awards, including investigative reporting and writer of the year awards from the N.Y. Press Association. She was also honored in 2020 with a NY State Senate Woman of Distinction Award for her trailblazing work in local online news. She is a founder, owner and co-publisher of this website.Email Denise.