Veterans Memorial Highway crash kills motorcycle driver who was ejected in collision

An Islandia motorcyclist was killed Friday morning when he was ejected from his cycle in a crash on Route 454, Veterans Memorial Highway, in Islandia, Suffolk police said.

Joshua Taylor was driving a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle east on Veterans Memorial Highway when the 66-year-old driver of a 2019 Hino box truck going west attempted to make a U-turn at the intersection of East Suffolk Avenue in front of the motorcycle. Taylor, 20, hit the brakes and the motorcycle skidded on the pavement, causing him to be ejected, Suffolk County police said.

Taylor, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the box truck was not hurt.

Police said the crash occurred around 7:35 a.m. and the intersection was closed for an investigation. The road has since reopened.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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.”