4 dead in fatal New York car accident

Four people tragically lost their lives in a serious crash in Yaphank, according to local sources. New York police responded to the car accident just before 11:00 p.m. the night of July 4. No charges are likely in this case, as the driver who appears to have been responsible was one of the fatalities in the crash. 

The accident report states that just after 10:45 p.m. a 25-year-old man lost control of the pickup truck he was driving, causing the vehicle to enter the oncoming lane. The pickup truck struck a sedan coming the other direction head-on. Witnesses say the pickup truck driver was driving erratically and recklessly prior to the crash. 

The pickup truck driver was killed in the initial impact, as were three other adults in the sedan. One other adult managed to survive the crash and is currently in the hospital in serious condition. A baby that was also in the sedan was rushed to a hospital as well, but the infant’s injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time. 

In situations where the driver responsible for a car accident is killed in the ensuing crash, no charges are filed posthumously. However, New York law states that the families of the deceased victims are entitled to file wrongful death suits against the driver’s estate and anyone with ownership interest in the vehicle involved in the crash. Such suits are handled in civil court but can make use of evidence gathered by police to support the claim of culpability. 

Source: CBS New York, “Police: Head-On Crash Leaves 4 Dead In Yaphank“, Mike Xirinachs, July 5, 2016