A car crash on the Long Island Expressway in Hauppauge Monday has left three people dead. Police say a Selden man, his stepson and his daughter were killed when their SUV hit a tree and sign post before bursting into flames around 1 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, they found the 1995 Jeep engulfed in flames.

According to police, the victims are Arthur Reece, 44, his 5-year-old stepson, Delano Anderson, and his 10-month-old daughter, Larissa. Reece was driving home from his brother?s house in Bay Shore when the accident occurred, police say. ?An off-duty New York City police officer and a truck driver had attempted to rescue the people, break the window, use a fire extinguisher, but the fire got too intense,? says Suffolk Detective Lt. Robert Edwards.

Those who know Reece and his children say they?re devastated.

?I am just numb,? says family friend Cecelia Downs. ?I can't put it into words right now.?

Police are trying to figure out what caused the SUV to lose control. They are asking any witnesses to step forward.