Updated – July 26, 6 a.m. A head-on collision on Route 58 Tuesday afternoon just east of the Long Island Expressway injured two people, one seriously, and shut down the roadway for nearly four hours.
Riverhead Police said Stuart Clark, 57, was seriously injured when the 2008 Honda Accord he was operating westbound on Route 58 crossed over the turning lane into oncoming traffic and collided with an eastbound 2010 Toyota Highlander operated by Ruth Iglesias, 38, in front of the Gulf gas station.
The Honda overturned in the crash and came to a rest on its roof on the driveway apron of the gas station.
Police received a 911 call reporting the crash at 2:35 p.m., according to a press release issued Tuesday night.
Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Clark to Peconic Bay Medical Center with serious injuries, police said. Iglesias, who sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, police said, was also transported to Peconic Bay by RVAC.
Route 58 was closed to traffic in both directions from Kroemer Avenue to the junction of Route 58 and Route 25 in Calverton due to a serious motor vehicle accident.
A New York State Police accident reconstruction team was called to assist Riverhead Police detectives with the investigation.
Police announced the road reopening at 6:17 p.m.
Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps initially requested a Suffolk County aviation unit to transport a victim, but the helicopter transport was subsequently canceled. Riverhead Fire Department responded to the scene to assist with extrication of a victim and to establish a landing zone for the police helicopter before the aviation transport was called off.
Police said the accident is still under investigation and ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated since publication with additional information provided by police, including the identities of the drivers.
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