Motorcyclist, two pedestrians killed in separate crashes in Suffolk

Three people died on Suffolk County roads in separate crashes in about a 15-hour span from Sunday to Monday morning, including a hit-and-run in Brentwood, police said.

Suffolk County police said a woman was struck by a vehicle at 5:15 a.m. Monday while she was crossing Wicks Road, just north of Bradley Street, in Brentwood.

Police identified the driver as Luis Vasquez, 59, of Brentwood. He was driving a 2020 Toyota Highlander, heading south on Wicks Road, when he struck the woman and sped away, police said.

The woman was struck by at least one other vehicle before she was taken by ambulance to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where she was pronounced dead.

Police later arrested Vasquez at 11:45 a.m. Monday and charged him with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. He is being held overnight at the Third Precinct and will be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Earlier, on Sunday at 2:40 a.m., a man was crossing Suffolk Avenue in Central Islip, about 100 feet east of Church Street, when he was struck by a westbound 2014 Honda Pilot.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, Suffolk County police said. The driver of the Honda was not injured, and the Honda was impounded for a safety check.

Almost 24 hours later, at 12:15 a.m. Monday, the driver of a 2016 Volkswagen sedan was northbound on Fifth Avenue in Bay Shore.

As the driver attempted to turn left onto Spur Drive North, the Volkswagen was struck on the rear passenger side by a man operating a southbound 2006 Suzuki motorcycle.

The motorcyclist was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The driver of the Volkswagen was not injured. The Volkswagen and the Suzuki were impounded for safety checks.

Police have not released the identities of any of the victims, pending notification of next of kin.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on either crash to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.

Police have now reported that nine pedestrians have been killed on Long Island this year, according to Newsday data. Police reported there were 22 pedestrians killed on Long Island roads at this point last year and a total of 64 pedestrian fatalities in 2023.