Daniel Johnston of Shirley dies after crash reveals gunshot wound, police say

A Shirley man died after police, responding to a car crash, discovered the driver had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, police said. 

Daniel Johnston, 32, of Shirley, was driving a 2021 Chevrolet southbound in the northbound lanes of William Floyd Parkway in Shirley about 8 p.m. Wednesday when he struck a pole and then a fence near Rugby Drive, police said. First responders discovered the gunshot wound, police said.

Johnston was transported via Mastic Beach Ambulance to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

It was unclear whether Johnston was shot in the car or elsewhere.

Police said Homicide Squad detectives are asking anyone with information on the fatal incident to contact them at 631-852-6392.

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.”