Joel McClain ID’d as motorcyclist in fatal crash

A 23-year-old Freeport man was killed Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a car on Sunrise Highway in Merrick, Nassau County police said Monday.

Police identified the victim as Joel McClain and said he was pronounced dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Services personnel from the Merrick Fire Department. The driver of the car, identified only as a 68-year-old man, and his two female passengers were all transported to a hospital for what police described as “trauma services.” The driver was not charged.

Police said that McClain was eastbound on Sunrise Highway on his 2005 Yamaha when the motorcycle collided with the 2015 Lexus, which was making a left turn on to Hewlett Avenue from westbound Sunrise. The crash occurred at 4:42 p.m.

Both vehicles were impounded for brake and safety inspections. Police said the investigation is continuing.

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.”