Driver and passenger killed in Southern State Parkway crash, police say

A driver and his female passenger, both from Central Islip, were killed in a fiery single-vehicle crash early Monday on the Southern State Parkway in West Islip, New York State Police said.

Police identified the driver as Travis T. Williams, 45, and the passenger as Shenella Braithwaite, 35. Police said Williams died at the scene, while Braithwaite died after being transported to nearby Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Police said the vehicle, a Land-Rover, was traveling at "a high rate of speed" on the eastbound roadway, west of the Udall Road overpass, when Williams lost control, went off the road and struck a tree at 1:14 a.m. — the SUV bursting into flames.

Firefighters from North Babylon and West Islip responded to the scene, as did North Babylon EMS. Local fire officials could not immediately be reached for comment, but photos from the scene show the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Police said the investigation into the crash is continuing.

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.”