LIE accident slows Dix Hills traffic
Scene of the crash on the eastbound LIE near Exit 49. (Jan. 6, 2011) Credit: James Carbone
An accident between a box truck and car on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills closed the eastbound HOV lane and backed up traffic in both directions for a few miles Thursday morning, according to a witness at the scene and the state Department of Transportation website.
A Suffolk County Sheriff spokeswoman said the accident happened at about 8:35 a.m., but could not provide details. The website said the situation was resolved at 10:44 a.m.
"We don't know how it happened, only that it was between the box truck and a car," the spokeswoman said.
A witness at the scene said the truck, in the right lane eastbound on the expressway, was rear-ended by a car. The truck then swerved to its left, crossing three lanes, hit another car and rammed into a concrete divider, the witness said.
The truck turned over on its side before coming to a stop, the witness said.
The driver of the truck was taken to Huntington Hospital, the police spokeswoman said, but did not have any information on injuries.
At 9 a.m., cameras posted at Half Hollow Hills Road and the Expressway, near Exit 49 North, showed at least two damaged cars in the eastbound HOV lane, with police and emergency vehicles assisting on both sides of the expressway.
Traffic on the westbound expressway was slowed by flares around the assisting vehicles.
