Mastic man on bicycle dies after being struck on Montauk Highway, police say

A bicyclist died in Mastic Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Montauk Highway, Suffolk County police said.

Peter Accardi Jr., was riding his bicycle eastbound facing westbound traffic on Montauk Highway, near Fulton Avenue when his bicycle swerved from the shoulder into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2013 Ford van at about 11 a.m., police said.

Accardi Jr., 61, of Mastic, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. The driver of the van, Marybeth Veerman, 51, of Port Jefferson Station, stayed at the scene and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue with non-life-threatening injuries.

Veerman was issued a field appearance ticket for third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation.

The collision happened about 11 a.m. and led to an hours-long shutdown of Montauk Highway in both directions between Robert Street and Fulton Avenue, police said.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Seventh Squad detectives at 631-852-8752.