Jose Hernandez-Escobar, of East Northport, dies after crash, police say; medical episode suspected
Suffolk police said an East Northport man suffered an apparent medical episode while driving in Deer Park Sunday. Credit: Paul Mazza
An East Northport man died Sunday after police said he suffered an apparent medical episode while driving in Deer Park.
About 9:20 p.m., a driver spotted a 2009 Honda Pilot on the center median lodged against a metal road sign near Weston Avenue and called 911, Suffolk police said.
Responding officers found the Pilot's driver, Jose Hernandez-Escobar, 52, alone in the vehicle. He was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Police believe Fernandez-Escobar suffered a medical event leading to the crash.
No further information was immediately available.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact First Squad detectives at 631-854-8152. The vehicle was impounded for a routine safety check.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
More coverage: Every 7 minutes on average a traffic crash causing death, injury or significant property damage happens on Long Island. A Newsday investigation found that traffic crashes killed more than 2,100 people between 2014 and 2023 and seriously injured more than 16,000 people. To search for fatal crashes in your area, click here
John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.
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