Cops: Two seriously hurt in Central Islip crash

An early morning crash on Caleb's Path in Central Islip left two passengers seriously injured Friday, police said.

The 3:05 a.m. crash occurred when the driver of a southbound 2002 Honda Civic, identified as Herson Martinez-Rodriguez, 21, of Central Islip, crashed into a 2011 Jaguar XJL that was traveling westbound on Ocean Avenue, Suffolk County police said.

Martinez-Rodriguez and the driver of the Jaguar, Mario Arango, 30, Bay Shore, were both transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore with what police called non-life-threatening injuries.

A passenger in the Honda, Jennifer Echavarria, 19, of Brentwood, and a passenger in the Jaguar, Maria Angeles, 30, also of Brentwood, were also transported to Southside -- both with serious injuries.

Both cars were impounded and police said the cause of the crash remains under investigation on Friday. Police are asking anyone with information regarding the accident call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”