A devastating incident occurred on Saturday, May 20, just before 10 a.m., leaving one person dead and another injured. According to the Riverhead Police, a 911 call alerted authorities that a large box truck had veered off the travel portion of Sound Avenue, east of Edwards Avenue, resulting in a collision with a utility pole and subsequent overturning.
Emergency response units swiftly arrived at the scene and discovered the overturned truck on the south side of the roadway. Tragically, a 41-year-old man from Brooklyn, identified as a passenger, was pronounced dead by Riverhead Ambulance paramedics. The driver, also a 31-year-old man from Brooklyn, managed to exit the vehicle and suffered minor injuries. He was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital via Riverhead Ambulance, where he is currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The identities of those involved have been withheld pending notification of their next of kin.
Riverhead Police's Detective Division was summoned to the scene to conduct an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings revealed that the truck had been traveling westbound on Sound Avenue when it departed from the roadway, colliding with a LIPA utility pole and a large tree before overturning.
Further details emerged regarding the vehicle involved, which was owned and operated by a third-party delivery vendor subcontracted by P.C. Richard & Son. The truck had been engaged in delivery services at the time of the accident.
The Suffolk County Police Motor Carrier Section, along with Suffolk County Crime Scene Units, provided assistance during the incident. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and urge anyone with information to contact the Riverhead Police at 631-727-4500.