Suffolk police sergeant suffers serious injuries in Shirley crash

A Suffolk County police sergeant was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon in a Shirley crash involving his unmarked vehicle and a minivan, the authorities said.

Sgt. Wayne Kelly was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Impala south on William Floyd Parkway about 12:55 p.m. when a 2008 Honda Odyssey heading north and turning onto Ridgewood Drive struck the vehicle, according to a Suffolk police news release.

Kelly was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with injuries considered serious but not life-threatening, police said.

The driver of the Odyssey was transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said. The Chevrolet and the Honda were impounded for safety checks.

Detectives ask anyone with information regarding the crash to call Suffolk's major case unit at 631-852-6555.

Tuesday's crash occurred near the site of a fatal hit-and-run five days earlier, when brothers Edgar and Omar Mejia, both of Mastic Beach, were struck while changing a tire on the side of William Floyd Parkway. Edgar Mejia, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Omar Mejia, 29, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. An update on Mejia's condition Tuesday was not immediately available.

Police arrested the alleged driver, Jonathan Shaver, 51, of Rocky Point, and charged him with leaving the scene of a crash, Newsday previously reported. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Charisse Mercado, who lives along William Floyd Parkway near both crash sites, said she has long been concerned about safety on the road she must drive daily.

"It's like there's always an accident here," said Mercado, 36. "Everyone speeds down here, it's crazy."

While Tuesday's crash occurred during the daylight, Thursday's took place in the evening. Mercado believes better lighting could help prevent future evening collisions. Her home sits in the middle of a nearly half-mile stretch of the northbound parkway between light fixtures.

"These roads need more streetlights," Mercado said. "When it's dark out, it's very dark over here, very, very dark ... I don't want to see anyone else getting hurt. We see it every week."