Cops: Motorcycle crash kills car passenger

A car's backseat passenger was killed Saturday afternoon in Islip Terrace when a motorcyclist crashed into a rear door of the vehicle as it tried to turn into a strip mall, Suffolk County police said.

The passenger, a 41-year-old woman from Islandia, died a short time later at the hospital.

The crash happened near Connetquot Avenue at about 5:23 p.m. as the 1998 Nissan Altima heading southbound, was trying to make the left turn, said the Suffolk Third Detective Squad's Det. Sgt. Jeffrey Walker.

The motorcyclist, Christian Vogel, 24, of Central Islip, driving a 2007 Yamaha, was going northbound, and tried to brake but he couldn't stop in time, Walker said.

He struck the rear passenger door on the Altima's right side. The woman sitting in the right rear passenger seat was struck.

Walker said the accident appeared to be the Altima driver's fault because the motorcyclist had the right of way.

The victim was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.

Vogel was in critical but stable condition Saturday night with a broken leg, a broken hand, a broken arm, and head injuries.

The Altima's other passengers, two men, and its driver, Brandie Raynor, 24, of Central Islip, were unhurt, he said.

Walker said there does not appear to be criminality.

Police did not immediately release the names of the other people in the car.