Joseph G. Mayer, of North Babylon, dies in single-car crash on Southern State Parkway in North Bellmore

State Police have identified a driver killed in an early morning single-car crash Wednesday on the Southern State Parkway in North Bellmore as Joseph G. Mayer, 62, of North Babylon.

Police said Mayer was driving a 2006 Lexus westbound in the left lane near Exit 25 when his vehicle suddenly veered across three lanes of traffic and onto the right hand shoulder, striking two poles.

The crash occurred at about 5:30 a.m., police said.

It was not immediately clear if the crash was precipitated by a medical event.

Police said only that Mayer was pronounced at the scene, but said the cause of the crash — and, the cause of death — remained under investigation Wednesday afternoon.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them at 631-756-3300.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”