Cops: 3 teens killed in crash on Montauk Highway in Brookhaven

Three teenagers and close friends were killed Thursday evening in Brookhaven when a car, which had been reported stolen earlier in the week, struck a utility pole at a high speed, Suffolk County police said Friday.

The three victims of the single-car crash were Justin Harris, 18, of Coram, rear-seat passenger Zyyel Thomas, 15, and front-seat passenger Javon Green, 17, both of Mastic Beach.

Harris was driving a 2019 Chrysler 300 west on Montauk Highway shortly before 8 p.m. when he lost control of the speeding vehicle and struck a utility pole just south of Carman Boulevard, across from the Brookhaven Fire Department headquarters, according to Fifth Squad detectives.

Harris and Thomas were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Green was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

The vehicle, which was reported stolen on Sept. 5 from Yaphank, was impounded, police said.

Sharrel Green, the aunt of Javon Green, said the three victims were close friends who were on their way home Thursday night after dropping off another friend in Bellport.

"They were great kids regardless of the situation. Really great kids," said Green, adding that she had no information about the reportedly stolen car. "They were close friends."

Javon, she said, was the oldest of six siblings and a senior at William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach who loved football and family.

"He was fun and outgoing," Green said. "He was smart. He was intelligent."

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.

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.