Police seek truck in LIE hit-run crash

The LIE's eastbound lanes just east of Exit 51 that were closed during the accident investigation have since reopened.

Police said Gloria Montoya was driving a 2013 Honda Accord in the center lane of eastbound LIE when her vehicle was rear-ended by a dump truck that was traveling behind her and attempting to merge onto the right hand lane at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Accord then struck the concrete center divider as well as a 2003 Toyota Solara that was in the HOV lane and a 2005 Dodge Magnum that was in the center lane, according to a police news release.

The Solara's driver, William Broer, 83, of Hauppauge, was taken by police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital. His condition was upgraded from serious to fair late Friday morning.

Montoya, 49, of Commack, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, police said. The driver of the Magnum, Carlos Gonzalez, 35, of Central Islip, was not injured.

Police described the dump truck that fled the scene as a "newer-model, clean silver or gray-colored vehicle."

The Dix Hills Fire Department also responded to the crash.

"There was considerable damage all throughout the car," 1st Assistant Chief Robert Fling said Thursday night about Broer's vehicle. "There was debris all over the place."

Police emergency services units had to cut the car roof off to free the injured man, Fling said.

The Accord, Solara and the Magnum were impounded for safety checks, police said, and the investigation is continuing.

Detectives ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or who has information to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

With Gary Dymski