A 42-year-old man was critically injured early Monday morning after police say he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a vacant storefront in Patchogue.
Surveillance video of the incident shows a Honda Accord narrowly missing a turning bus and a stopped vehicle before slamming into the building on South Ocean Avenue.
According to Suffolk County police, the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Investigators say the driver, identified as Scott Letizia, was heading south at a high rate of speed when he crossed over Main Street and slammed into the front of a vacant shoe store. The impact caused extensive damage to the building.
“It’s horrible. Thank God at least no innocent people were hurt,” said Patchogue resident Bill Logiacco, who surveyed the damage. “I don’t know how the driver made out but what a horrible scene.”
Holbrook resident Lissetty Johnson said she was stunned by the extent of the destruction. “I’m shocked. I’ve never seen anything like that before,” she said.
Letizia was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police say no other injuries were reported.
The storefront, which had housed the Richard York shoe store for 96 years, has been empty for a little more than a year.
