Cops: 4 dead in Southern State Parkway car crash

State police have confirmed that four people died and another was injured following a single-car crash this morning on the Southern State Parkway.

The crash happened around 3:40 a.m. near exit 17 in Malverne.

Officials say a Subaru lost control heading westbound and ended up wrapped around a tree on the side of the road. Police have identified the driver of the vehicle as Joseph Beer, 17, of Queens. They say he was operating the car with a learner's permit.

According to police, Beer and four passengers, who were all 18 years old and from Queens, were ejected from the vehicle. The passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. Beer was transported to Winthrop Hospital where he was admitted and is being treated for his injuries.

Some people who live near the accident scene told News 12 Long Island that their house shook from the impact of the crash.

According to police, the force of the crash was so strong that it ripped the car into two pieces. The first half was pulled out from the woods.