Two young sisters hit by SUV in Smithtown

Two young sisters were struck by a sport utility vehicle Thursday on Route 25A in Smithtown, police said, a stretch of roadway that has been the site of several recent serious pedestrian accidents.

They were identified as Mabel Burgos, 13, and Melody Burgos, 9, police said.

They were transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center after the 5:30 p.m. accident. Melody was listed in guarded condition and Mabel was held overnight for observation. The driver of the Lexus, Maria Kolahifar, 66, of Fort Salonga, was not injured, police said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, police said.

On Nov. 24, 2009, pedestrian Courtney Sipes, 11, was killed when she was hit by an SUV while crossing Route 25A -- also known as East Main Street -- just east of Lawrence Avenue.

Yesterday's accident also occurred near the Main Street intersection with Lawrence Avenue, police said.

On Jan. 2, Charles Doonan, 65, of Flushing, and Mirtha Rotkowitz, 61, of Sunnyside, were crossing in the same area when they were struck and injured.

The area has undergone recent changes, including barriers along Main Street's south curb between Lawrence and Landing avenues and upgrades to pedestrian traffic buttons on crosswalks that trigger traffic lights allowing pedestrians more time to cross.

According to the Department of Transportation, 33,000 vehicles travel each day along Main Street, where the posted speed limit is 30 mph.