Tow Truck Accident with Injuries (NY) "Updated 07.08.21"

[TowNews]

LIE closed westbound at exit 57 due to overturned vehicle; 2 people hospitalized

 

 

The Long Island Expressway is closed westbound at exit 57 due to an early two-vehicle crash Wednesday. 

 

The closure is due to an overturned vehicle that occurred in the westbound lanes at around 4 a.m. west of Route 454 

One of the vehicles, a tow truck, went into the woods and the other vehicle, a Mercedes, overturned. The driver of the tow truck was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries.

 

The other driver was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

 

Police are investigating a wooded area near the scene of the overturned Mercedes.

 

The driver of the Mercedes was arrested for a DWI.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

UPDATED 07.07.21 12:30pm

 

Man Charged With DWI After Crash Between Mercedes, Truck On LIE In Suffolk

 

A local man has been charged with driving while intoxicated in a crash that critically injured a tow truck operator on the Long Island Expressway.

 

The Suffolk County Police Department said Joseph Savasta, age 57, of Oyster Bay, was arrested on Wednesday, July 7, following the two-vehicle crash in Hauppauge. 

 

Police said Savasta was westbound on the Long Island Expressway, near Motor Parkway, when his Mercedes-Benz struck a westbound flatbed tow truck just after 4 a.m. The Mercedes-Benz overturned and came to a stop by the median, and the tow truck went off the right side of the highway and stopped in a wooded area.

 

The 37-year-old Medford man who was driving the tow truck was ejected from the vehicle. 

 

Suffolk County Police helicopter took him to Stony Brook University Hospital to be treated for critical injuries.

 

Police said Savasta was treated for minor injuries. He is set to be held at the third precinct and arraigned in Central Islip court on Thursday, July 8.

 

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555.

RESOURCE LINK

[auto rescue]

Hoping for the best for the operator.

[TowMan127]

OK, I just got off the phone with the owner of the company that he works for. He is in ICU, he is stable with possible head injury.

 

They are keeping him sedated at the moment. He is not dead so please keep him in your prayers. The owner told me they’re not giving him a lot of info but once he is out of ICU they will be allowed to see him. I was told to call back in a few days to get updates on him.

 

I’m trying to get a hold of his cousin to find out more information. So please just keep him in your prayers.

[TowMan127]

Good morning! Update on Chris is that he’s going in for surgery for his two broken legs.

He will be on a long road of recovery but he will be OK which is great news!

[auto rescue]

Thank you for the update.

[EdwardP]

Good afternoon.

 

I am working on a story relating to highway safety and would like to know the name of the company Chris was working for at the time of this accident. Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Edward