East Northport woman, father die in parkway crash

An East Northport man lost control of his car on the Northern State Parkway and slammed into a tree Friday evening, killing the man's wife and father, and leaving a 12-year-old with serious injuries, State Police said Saturday.

The driver, Michael Preston, 49, was injured in the crash, as was a 12-year-old boy whose name police didn't release.

The Friday crash killed Theodore Preston, 87, and Victoria Preston, 49, both of East Northport. They were pronounced dead at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

Michael Preston was taken to Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola for treatment of chest fractures. A medical helicopter flew the boy to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for treatment of neck and internal injuries. Both were in stable condition, police said.

Michael Preston, who lived with his wife, children and father, was driving west on the parkway at about 6:30 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway, entered woods and slammed into a large tree east of the North Hills exit, 27, police said.

In the family's East Northport neighborhood, next-door neighbor Kathy Eckman said the family was driving to a wedding rehearsal when the crash occurred. Eckman said Victoria Preston was an accountant who owned her own business.

"You knew she would always be there for you," Eckman said of Victoria Preston. "I think the whole neighborhood is walking around in shock. It's so sad."

Dennis Feeney, who lives across from the Prestons, said he knew Theodore Preston the best and recalled seeing him at St. Anthony of Padua Church in East Northport.

"He was a delightful man," Feeney said. "They were nice people."

Neighbor Nelson Elias, 51, said the crash claimed members of a "close-knit" family.

"I couldn't fathom what they're going through," Elias, 51, said of the Preston family. "They live for each other."

State Police ask that crash witnesses call troopers in Farmingdale at 631-756-3300. With Bill Mason

and Yamiche Alcindor