Photo: Denise Civiletti

(Updated: Dec. 14, 5 a.m.) A mother and toddler child were seriously injured Tuesday when the taxi cab they were passengers in was involved in a crash on Roanoke Avenue at about 5:20 p.m.

The taxi, a 2006 Chrysler operated by Zafar Mahmood, 59, of Riverhead, was southbound on Roanoke Avenue just south of Southern Parkway and made a left turn into the northbound travel lane of a 2001 Dodge operated by Thomas Jones, 51, of Riverhead, police said. The taxi was struck broadside by the Dodge and the impact spun the cab around. The rear-seat passengers, Estela Ortiz-Casia, 27, of Riverhead and her 4-year-old son were ejected from the taxi, police said.

Ortiz-Casia was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. Her child was initially transported by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Peconic Bay Medical Center and then flown to Stony Brook from PBMC, according to emergency personnel.

Mahmood was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center by RVAC and Jones was taken to Southampton Hospital by Flanders-Northampton, police said.

All accident victims are being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening, Riverhead Police said.

Roanoke Avenue was closed to traffic between Cranberry and Pulaski streets while police detectives investigated the scene of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, police said. Riverhead Police Detectives ask any witnesses to contact police at 631-727-4500.

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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.