Two people killed in separate Nassau County crashes, police say
Police respond to the fatal crash in Massapequa just after 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Credit: Paul Mazza
Two people were killed in single-car crashes early Sunday morning, one in North Valley Stream and the other in Massapequa, according to police.
A 20-year-old driving a BMW on Merrick Road in Massapequa lost control of the car just after 3 a.m., according to Nassau County police. The car hit a tree near Cedar Shore Drive. The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
The second person was killed in a crash on the Southern State Parkway, according to New York State Police.
The crash occurred about 4 a.m. near Exit 13 in North Valley Stream. State troopers arrived to find a Hyundai Sonata on the right shoulder that had hit a tree, officials said.
"Deodat J. Ramotar, age 35 of Jamaica, Queens and the front seat passenger were uninjured," state police said in a statement. "Two of the three rear seat passengers were transported to Jamaica Hospital to be treated for their injuries. One of the rear seat passengers succumbed to their injuries at scene."
Ramotar had been traveling "at a speed too fast for conditions and was intoxicated," the statement said.
Ramotar was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter — operating motor vehicle while impaired causing death, vehicular manslaughter — recklessly causing death, and other offenses, according to police.
Police said the Southern State crash is under investigation. They did not immediately provide any details about the person who died.
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.
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