Police ID man killed on Southern State

A 42-year-old North Bellmore man was struck by a car and killed as he walked in the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway Tuesday in West Islip, not long after he crashed his van in a wooded area off the parkway, police said.

Thomas Hayes was driving a Ford Econoline van east on the Southern near Exit 39, Route 231-Deer Park Avenue, when he crashed into trees and bushes off the shoulder at 5:15 a.m., State Police said.

Police said Hayes began walking on the highway, where he was struck and killed by an eastbound black Toyota driven by Richardson Luberisse, 29, of Brentwood.

"The operator got out, was walking in the lanes when he was hit," police spokesman Frank Bandiero said. "It was still dark out. The other driver never saw him."

Luberisse remained at the scene and was not charged.

The accident closed the eastbound road between Exits 39 and 40, the Robert Moses Causeway, until 10:45 a.m.