LONG ISLAND CRIME BRIEFS

MONTAUK/1 person killed, 2 injured in car-pickup truck crash

East Hampton Town police are investigating a two-car crash that killed a driver and seriously injured her passenger in Montauk.

Suzanne Lavenas, 69, of Montauk, was driving east on Route 27 and attempting a left turn onto South Fox Street when her 2007 Toyota was struck by a 2012 Ford pickup truck about 9:16 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The pickup, driven by Thomas Gubitosi, 48, of Farmingdale, was traveling west on Route 27, police said in a news release yesterday.

Lavenas was taken to Southampton Hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Gubitosi also was taken to Southampton, where he was treated and released.

A passenger in Lavenas' Toyota, Frances Berg, 88, of Montauk, also was taken to Southampton Hospital, where she was listed in serious condition.

Police did not have additional information on her injuries yesterday. Police also said both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

Anyone with information can call the East Hampton Town Police at 631-537-7575.

-- Gary Dymski

JONES BEACH/Drug, drinking arrests made during two Phish concerts

New York State Police made 32 arrests, including one for possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, during Phish concerts Tuesday and Wednesday at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, police said.

Troopers patrolling outside the theater made arrests for marijuana and drug possession, underage drinking and driving while intoxicated, police said.

A New Jersey man faces a felony drug charge after troopers found him Tuesday with hallucinogenic mushrooms outside the theater where the band Phish played, State Police said.

Troopers saw Darryll Vanwinkle, 23, of Morris Plains, in a gray Jeep with a marijuana cigarette about 6:30 p.m., police said. Troopers then found 28 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, which contain trace amounts of psilocybin and psilocin, hallucinogenic substances, police said.

Vanwinkle was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A felony, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

His arraignment information at First District Court in Hempstead was not immediately available.

-- Gary Dymski and Patricia Kitchen

BALDWIN/Man accused of arson in fires at his home

A Baldwin man faces arson charges after a police investigation into two fires that were intentionally set at his home, Nassau County's Arson/Bomb Squad said yesterday.

Police arrested Evans Saintune, 48, of 929 Centennial Ave., Wednesday about 4:20 p.m. on charges of fourth-degree arson, second-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was scheduled to be arraigned yesterday at first District Court in Hempstead.

Police did not provide other details in a Thursday morning news release.

-- Gary Dymski