Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach
According to Suffolk County police, a 16-year-old boy was driving eastbound on Middle Country Road in a stolen Land Rover when he hit the rear of a sedan east of Dawn Drive.
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A teen was arrested Saturday night, accused of driving while high and fleeing a crash that killed a 73-year-old woman in Centereach.
According to Suffolk County police, a 16-year-old boy was driving eastbound on Middle Country Road in a stolen Land Rover when he hit the rear of a sedan east of Dawn Drive.
Justin Howard took a video of the aftermath.
“I ride a bike all the time. I got lights on my bike and the radio going and people still almost hit me all the time,” he said.
Police say the 16-year-old driver tried to run from the scene, but they were able to arrest him before he got away.
The woman driving the sedan later died at the hospital. A 50-year-old male passenger in the sedan was seriously injured.
Some residents say accidents are common in the area.
“I’ve been out here for 29 years, and I’ve seen multiple unfortunate accidents," said Gus Cruse, of Centereach.
Cruse was in one of those accidents on Middle Country Road several years ago. His car was hit by a vehicle driven by a man on drugs.
Erin Connolly, of Lake Ronkonkoma, says her car was totaled in a head-on collision on nearby Holbrook Road because someone was texting while driving.
“It’s horrible, absolutely horrible,” Connolly said.
The teen, who is not being identified due to his age, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident and criminal possession of stolen property.
“It’s tragic. Seventy-three years old. I’m not too far off from that, so I’d hate to have my life end that way," Cruse said.
Police identified the woman who died as Marion Napolitano, 73, who is undomiciled.
Police told News 12 that an hour after the crash, 50-year-old Victoria Amado, of Holtsville, who was driving around the area in a separate car, was charged with DWI.
