State Police: RV driver dead after fiery Hamptons crash

An East Moriches man was pronounced dead at the scene after his recreational vehicle veered off the road, crashed into a wooded area and burst into flames Sunday afternoon along Sunrise Highway in Hampton Bays, State Police said.

The crash occurred west of Exit 65, Route 24-Flanders Road, at 4:43 p.m.

Police identified the deceased RV driver as Richard Santos, 66.

Police said Santos was driving westbound when he “lost control of the RV, exited the roadway and continued onto the right shoulder, where he struck a tree. This caused the RV to become engulfed in flames,” police said in an account of the crash.

It was not immediately clear if investigators believe Santos was killed in the crash — or if he suffered a medical episode before the crash. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to call them at 631-756-3300.

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.”