Motorist killed, other injured in East Moriches accident, say police

A motorist was killed Friday night when his Jeep crossed a double yellow line on Montauk Highway in East Moriches, crashing into a Ford pickup truck and igniting in flames, Suffolk County police said.

The victim has yet to be identified, police said.

The pickup truck's driver, Dylan Hughes, 24, of East Moriches, sustained minor injuries. Hughes' 6-month-old daughter, who was sitting in the backseat, was not hurt, police said.

The crash occurred at about 8:40 p.m. when the driver of a 2011 Jeep Liberty, heading westbound on Montauk Highway near Bay Avenue, crossed over a double yellow line and into oncoming traffic, colliding with Hughes' 2003 Ford pickup.

The Jeep burst into flames and could not be separated from the pickup, police said.

The driver of the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Hughes and his daughter were able to escape from the truck and were both taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and, police said, the investigation is continuing.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.