Kenneth Cook, of Lindenhurst, killed after being hit twice, police say

A 77-year-old man trying to cross Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst was killed on Monday evening after being struck by two drivers traveling in opposite directions, according to the Suffolk police.

Kenneth Cook, of Lindenhurst, was crossing Montauk Highway, south to north, between South Wellwood and Washington avenues, at 7:39 p.m. when the two drivers struck him within a minute, the police wrote in a news release.

The first motorist was a 73-year-old man driving an eastbound 2021 BMW X5, the second, a 20-year-old woman driving a westbound 2014 Ford Explorer, the release said.

Cook was brought to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead, the release said.

In response to e-mailed questions, the police press office said the pedestrian had not been at an intersection or crosswalk when he was struck and the cause of the crash being, the victim "walked into oncoming traffic."
Asked the drivers speed, the office wrote: "Specific speed not known." No one was ticketed, arrested or otherwise charged, the office said.

"There was no evidence of wrongdoing," the office wrote.

Newsday has reported that Long Island roads are among New York State’s deadliest to walk and bike on, but drivers involved in crashes that kill pedestrians and bicyclists rarely face criminal charges.

In 2024, 308 pedestrians in New York were killed by drivers of motor vehicles, including 63 on Long Island: 26 in Nassau County and 37 in Suffolk, according to statistics tallied by the University at Albany-based Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.