Several serious car accidents were reported across Long Island following the season’s first snowfall, prompting police to urge drivers to slow down and use caution on snowy roads.
Suffolk County police say approximately 200 crashes were reported during the winter weather. In Nassau County, at least two deadly crashes occurred, with authorities confirming that weather conditions played a role in at least one of them.
MORE: Long Island forecast
One of the fatal crashes happened early Sunday morning in Massapequa. Police say a 20-year-old man was killed around 3 a.m. after his 2019 BMW crashed into a tree along Merrick Road.
Chris LoVarco, who lives nearby, said he first learned about the crash when he arrived at work.
“They said Merrick Road was blocked off and that someone possibly crashed into a telephone pole and that it was pretty serious,” LoVarco said. “I didn’t see it happen, but when I came home from work, police were still there, and the road was blocked off.”
Nassau County police have not said whether weather was a factor in that crash.
About an hour later, New York State Police arrested 35-year-old Deodat Ramotar after he crashed his Hyundai Sonata near Exit 13 on the Southern State Parkway. Police say Ramotar was driving while intoxicated. Two of the three people who were sitting in the backseat of the car were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Police say the third passenger died at the scene from their injuries.
Authorities say snowy road conditions also contributed to the crash.
The winter weather has left many residents concerned about traveling.
“I have a granddaughter traveling today, and it’s making me very nervous. It’s very scary,” said Cindy Solliday of Bethpage. “The cars go sliding all over. You don’t realize how fast you’re going, and then other cars try to pass you, and they could lose control and hit you.”
In Hicksville, Adrian and Eva Perkovic spent part of the day shoveling their grandparents’ driveway. They said even a short drive from Bethpage was challenging due to the road conditions.
“It was really bumpy. The snow was hard," Adrian said.
"Our dad was driving really slow,” Eva said.
Police are reminding drivers to travel at safe speeds.
