Woman, 18, seriously injured in Centereach crash

An 18-year-old Centereach woman suffered serious injuries after a car she was riding in struck a tree on Nicolls Road in Centereach late Tuesday.

Another passenger suffered what police called "non-life-threatening injuries," while two others were treated for minor injuries.

Suffolk County police said Sarah Vehrs was seriously injured when Michael Leuci, 17, of Port Jefferson Station, lost control of his 2002 Ford Taurus, veered off the road and collided with the tree near the intersection of Hawkins Avenue at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said Leuci, who was headed south at the time, told them a 1999 Toyota Camry traveling next to his vehicle struck his car, causing him to lose control.

However, police said that the Camry did not appear to be damaged and that the driver and four passengers in the car told them the vehicle did not strike the Taurus. Police said the Camry and Taurus were impounded for a safety inspection.

Police said Vehrs was riding in the backseat when the crash occurred. Another passenger in the rear seat, identified by police as Hector Gonzalez, 18, of Coram, was ejected and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

All of the injured were taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center, police said. No one in the Camry was injured.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Sixth Squad detectives at 631-852-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, police said.