Driver hits pole, concrete stanchion in fatal crash, Nassau police say

Detectives are investigating a fatal crash that police said involved a Bellmore man slamming his car into a concrete train trestle stanchion Tuesday evening in Merrick.

Nassau County police said witnesses told First Squad detectives that the 30-year-old man first crashed his eastbound 2007 Hyundai Sonata into a utility pole in the Town of Hempstead M7 parking lot just before 6:30 p.m. Then, witnesses told police, the driver backed the car up, turned west and at "a high rate of speed" crashed into the trestle stanchion.

Investigators have not said whether they believe the incident was intentional.

Police said in a statement: "The investigation into this accident continues."

Police said the driver suffered "multiple trauma injuries" and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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.”