Monday, October 6th, was a busy morning for Suffolk County’s finest tasked with first-responding to devastating car accidents.
Jefry Valdez Cruz was driving a 2015 BMW southbound on Bellport Avenue between Long Island Avenue and Horseblock Road in Medford when he veered into the northbound lane, left the road, and struck several trees at 2:50 a.m.
The impact killed his passenger, 22-year-old Edgar Guevara Ramos, who was pronounced dead at the scene by an EMT from the Yaphank Fire Department.
Valdez Cruz, 25, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital and treated for critical injuries. The BMW was impounded for a safety check, while two other passengers were also treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
A little over eight hours later, an off-duty Nassau County police officer was seriously injured in Lindehurst.
Highway Patrol Officer Michael Hyland was operating a 2020 Harley Davidson as part of a funeral procession on North Wellwood Avenue at Jerome Street when he collided with a 2020 Toyota Tundra—the driver, Jeffrey Geller, 61, was not injured.
Officer Hyland, 53, on the other hand, was transported via ambulance to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for serious physical injuries.
He remains in critical condition.
“We are hopeful that our police officer will have a full and healthy recovery,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote on Facebook. “Please keep our officer in your thoughts and prayers.”
Senator Alexis Weik also expressed her thoughts and prayers on social media. She sends “strength to his family and all members of law enforcement who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe.”
Detectives ask anyone holding information pertinent to either case to contact the Fifth Squad or Major Case Unit detectives at (631) 854-8552 or (631) 852-6555, respectively.