Cops: Mount Sinai woman dies in car crash

A Mount Sinai woman on her way home from shopping was fatally injured and a man was hurt when his car caught fire in a two-vehicle accident on Route 25A in Wading River Saturday, Riverhead police said.

Susan Knoernschild, 32, died of her injuries, while the other driver, Michael Gatto, 27, of Rocky Point, suffered nonlife-threatening injuries in the crash, police said.

Officers at the scene about 3:30 p.m. found Gatto's car on fire and Knoernschild's sport utility vehicle on its side, Det. Mike Schmidt said.

Gatto had been pulled from the vehicle by passing motorists -- Patricia and Greg Toback of Stony Brook and Christine Willman of Wading River -- before the flames spread. An off-duty Riverhead police officer, William Bianco, tried to aid Knoernschild, Schmidt said.

Knoernschild was pronounced dead at Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said. Gatto was flown by a Suffolk Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he is recovering.

Schmidt said Gatto's Volkswagen was traveling east on a two-lane stretch of Route 25A and Knoernschild's Honda west. Gatto's car veered into the westbound lane and the two vehicles collided between East Winds Drive and Sound Avenue, he said. The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. No charges have been filed.

"We're still looking for witnesses to come forward," Schmidt said. Anyone with information is urged to call 631-727-4500, ext. 289.

Susan Knoernschild's mother, Nadine Knoernschild, said her daughter was coming home from shopping at the Tanger outlet mall in Riverhead.

She said her daughter, who was single and lived with her, worked two jobs: at the office of Suffolk OB/GYN in Patchogue during the day and as a night stock clerk at BJ's in Setauket.

The Mount Sinai High School graduate earned an associate degree from Suffolk County Community College.

Her key pastime for two decades was helping her family raise and train puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, her mother said.

"She was a warm, caring individual," her mother said. Knoernschild adopted two dogs that didn't work out as guides.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her father, Henry; brothers Robert and Keith; sister Beth; and a nephew, Justin Edwards, all of Mount Sinai.

Arrangements will be handled by the Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.