The Suffolk County Police Department is putting out a plea to the public for anyone who witnessed a fatal crash in East Moriches or if they have information about those involved in the accident.
Police said 66-year-old Donald Kwarta was behind the wheel of a 2018 GMC Yukon and was driving westbound on Sunrise Highway. Law enforcement stated that’s when Kwarta lost control of his vehicle, veered into the median in the middle of the road, and crossed into the eastbound lane.
That is when cops said the GMC Yukon, which traveled one-eighth-of-a-mile going the wrong way, hit a parked Mack truck head on.
That Mack truck was on the eastbound shoulder of the road. The impact of the crash killed Kwarta, who was pronounced dead at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead.
The driver of the Mack Truck, 58-year-old Keith Schwamb, was taken to the same hospital and treated for minor injuries.
After the fatal crash, the Mack truck was inspected by the Motor Carrier Safety Section. The GMC Yukon was impounded for a safety check.
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and need to hear from you if you witnessed this fatal crash. You can call them at 631.852.8752. Tips will remain confidential.