13 Photos
Photos from the scene of a reported fire on Sunrise Highway by exit 65 near Hampton Bays. CAILIN RILEY
Photos from the scene of a reported fire on Sunrise Highway by exit 65 near Hampton Bays. CAILIN RILEY
Photos from the scene of a reported fire on Sunrise Highway by exit 65 near Hampton Bays. CAILIN RILEY
As of 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night state troopers were still on the scene of an accident involving an RV just west of the Hamptons Bays exit. Westbound traffic was being diverted to Route 24. DANA SHAW
As of 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night state troopers were still on the scene of an accident involving an RV just west of the Hamptons Bays exit. Westbound traffic was being diverted to Route 24. DANA SHAW
As of 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night state troopers were still on the scene of an accident involving an RV just west of the Hamptons Bays exit. Westbound traffic was being diverted to Route 24. DANA SHAW
As of 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night state troopers were still on the scene of an accident involving an RV just west of
UPDATE: Monday, 8:30 a.m.
State Police have identified the person who died in the RV accident as Richard Santos, 66, of East Moriches. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said Mr. Santos was driving west on Sunrise Highway when, for still unknown reasons, he lost control of the RV he was driving, exited the highway and struck several trees before coming to a rest on the shoulder.
State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to call (631) 756-3300.
UPDATE: 9:36 a.m.
New York State Police confirmed that one person is deceased from the RV accident. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics.
UPDATE: 8:28 p.m.
New York State Police confirmed that the westbound and eastbound section of Sunrise Highway where the accident occurred have been reopened for travel.
John Wambold of Southampton said that he was driving approximately 200 yards behind the RV going westbound on Sunrise Highway with his wife when the accident occurred.
"We were going maybe 55 mph and were right behind the RV, which was going about the same speed," Mr. Wambold said in a phone interview. "Then the RV just veered right hard off of the road onto a grassy area between the entrance ramp from NY-24 South, bounced over the entrance ramp, then onto another grassy area and then crashed into a set of trees in the woods."
Mr. Wambold said that the speed of the RV remained the same throughout the accident. He said that he pulled over immediately and dialed 911 at 4:42 p.m. He also said other drivers pulled over and ran over to the RV to see if anyone was injured.
"The RV was wedged between the trees with the driver's side door blocked by the trees, so no one could really get to the door or the passenger's side to see what was inside," Mr. Wambold said. "Within a minute or two, we saw smoke coming from the front of the RV."
Mr. Wambold said that police arrived within two minutes after he made the 911 call and, due to the trees blocking the front doors of the RV, one police officer pulled his car up to the back window on the driver's side and stood on the hood of the police car to try to get the window open in order to save people from the RV. By this time, Mr. Wambold said that flames could be seen coming from the front of the RV that were reaching approximately 30-40 feet high. Mr. Wambold said that he and his wife left the scene of the accident approximately five minutes after it occurred worried about the flames leading to a possible explosion. He said that more police officers and first responders showed up to help get the RV passengers out. "It was very disturbing," Mr. Wambold said.
UPDATE: 7:30 p.m.
Both lanes of Sunrise Highway heading west remain closed to traffic after an RV went off the roadway and crashed into the woods sometime before 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Westbound traffic is currently being routed north on Route 24 at Exit 65 in Hampton Bays. The resulting backup extends many miles to the east.
State Police have not yet said when the highway will reopen.
UPDATE: 6:26 P.M.
New York State Troopers stated that both the eastbound and westbound section of Sunrise Highway by Exit 65 are closed to tend to the accident.
ORIGINAL STORY
New York State Troopers are currently tending to reports of a fire near Exit 65 on Sunrise Highway, possibly caused by a RV accident on the road. State Troopers have closed down the westbound lanes (correction--Ed.) of Sunrise Highway where the accident occurred. More information to come.
Jon Winkler on Sep 25, 2016