Motorcyclist dies in Wantagh Parkway crash, police say

A Levittown man died and his passenger was hospitalized after he lost control of his motorcycle Wednesday just north of Jones Beach State Park, State Police said.

The pair were headed north on Wantagh State Parkway about 4 p.m. when the motorcycle hit the center guard rail near Ocean Parkway and the two were thrown off, police said.

The force of the impact sent the motorcycle careening on the road until it stopped in the right lane of traffic, authorities said.

William Moore, 55, was declared dead at the scene, police said. His passenger, who had injuries that were not life-threatening, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where she was in stable condition Wednesday, police said.

Moore, a paramedic lieutenant, was a 36-year veteran of the FDNY, the department said Thursday.

The crash closed all northbound lanes for hours. Investigators are looking into the cause of the crash, police said. One witness said Moore was speeding, according to police.

With William Murphy