Man hit by Mercedes-Benz on Route 110 in Melville, cops say

A 43-year-old Mount Sinai man was hospitalized in critical condition early Friday after Suffolk County police said he was struck by a car while crossing Route 110 in Melville.

John Erickson was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital after being struck at 1:05 a.m., police said.

The accident investigation forced the closure of southbound Route 110 for almost five hours between Baylis Road and Spagnoli Road. Northbound Route 110 also was closed briefly at Ruland Road, to provide the medevac helicopter with a landing zone.

Police said Erickson was attempting to cross Route 110 at Spagnoli Road when he was struck by a 2012 Mercedes-Benz being driven southbound by Maurice White. White, 46, of Massapequa, remained at the scene and was not charged.

He also was not injured, police said.

Police said the car was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to call the second squad at 631-854-8252.

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.”