Waldina Sanchez, of Mastic, seriously injured in crash that closed Sunrise Highway at Exit 56 four hours

A Mastic woman was seriously injured on Thursday morning in a two-vehicle crash that closed westbound Sunrise Highway for hours near Station Road, Exit 56, in North Bellport, Suffolk County police said.

The crash was reported at 5:26 a.m. and the road was later closed for an investigation until about 11 a.m., according to the New York State Department of Transportation 511NY website.

Police said Waldina Sanchez, 59, was driving a 2012 Toyota Corolla west when she lost control of the car and struck the center median near Station Road. As Sanchez attempted to reenter the travel lane, her Toyota was struck by a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, Suffolk police said in a news release.

Sanchez was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries, police said. The other driver, a 70-year-old man from Mastic, was transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in Patchogue with non-life-threatening injuries, police said

Fifth Squad detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact them at 631-854-8552,

Both vehicles were impounded for a safety check.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.