Bicyclist hit by car in Melville

A man on a bicycle was struck by a car in Melville on Thursday and taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center by helicopter, said Michael McKeefrey, an assistant chief of the Melville Fire Department.

The bicyclist, whom police have not identified, suffered severe head laceration, said McKeefrey, one of the rescuers who responded to the crash, which occurred at about 4:40 p.m.

The motorist was driving south on Pinelawn Road, near Ruland Road, when her vehicle struck the bicyclist, said McKeefrey. The motorist was not injured, he said.

It's not known whether the bicyclist was heading southbound on Pinelawn Road or attempting to cross it when he was struck, McKeefrey said.

A Suffolk County Police helicopter landed on Newsday's lawn, which is near the crash site.

"The helicopter needed a landing zone," McKeefrey said. "We were looking for a wide, open space and we wanted to get off Pinelawn Road."