Teen bike rider critical after Bay Shore car crash

A 15-year-old bicyclist was critically injured when he was struck by a car Tuesday afternoon in Bay Shore, police said.

Francisco Lopez of Bay Shore was taken by ambulance first to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and then transferred to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.

Lopez was riding a bicycle at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Holbrook Street at 3:45 p.m., Suffolk police said, when he was struck by a 2008 Honda driven by John Pappias, 45, of Northport.

Det. Sgt. Bob Koerber said it appears that Lopez rode the bicycle out in front of Pappias' car while attempting to cross the roadway to where his 10-year-old brother had already bicycled.

There was no alcohol or drug involvement in the accident, Koerber said, and no other apparent criminality. Lopez, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained a serious head injury and possibly a fractured arm, police said.

The investigation into the accident in continuing, Koerber said. The car was impounded for a safety check, and investigators asked that anyone with additional information call Third Squad detectives at 631-854-8352.