Bethpage woman ejected from vehicle in accident

A Bay Shore man was pulled from a burning car Friday night by a couple of good Samaritans, Suffolk County police said.

Ernesto Espino was driving his 2003 Nissan east on Express Drive South at about 11:30 p.m. when, police said, Eileen Schmid ran a red light in her 2005 Hyundai while turning left onto Express Drive South from southbound Commack Road.

The two cars collided, ejecting Schmid, 66, of Bethpage, from her car and trapping Espino, 35, of Bay Shore, inside his burning car.

"He could not get out of the vehicle," Suffolk Det. Sgt. Richard Auspaker said. "A couple of good Samaritans pulled him out. He was very lucky that someone was there."

Soon after Espino was rescued from his car, the Nissan was consumed by fire, Auspaker said.

Schmid suffered serious head and neck injuries, he said. She was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where she was listed in serious condition. She remained hospitalized Saturday afternoon.

Espino was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

Several fire and rescue crews responded to the scene, officials said.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks, police said.

No criminal charges were expected, Auspaker said.