Opening statements were made Wednesday in the trial of a reputed gang member accused of murdering two Long Islanders in Suffolk County.

Prosecutors say 37-year-old Reginald Ross, of Yaphank, killed both Raymond Hirt and John Williams.

Friends of Hirt, 51, say he was shot to death sitting in his car in Lake Ronkonkoma in May 2010. At the time, Hirt was waiting to start his job as a flagman for the Portion Road construction project.

According to prosecutors, Ross got stuck in the construction traffic and had an argument with Hirt. Ross then allegedly found Hirt at his job weeks later, and shot him execution-style.

Williams was shot and killed in front of his Holbrook home five months later. Prosecutors say a friend of Williams owed drug money to Ross. When the friend skipped town, the district attorney says Ross killed Williams in hopes that Williams' funeral would lure him back.