Six people were injured, two seriously, in a five-vehicle crash on Veterans Memorial Highway, Suffolk County police said.
The collision occurred in the eastbound lanes when a 2025 Mazda CX30 driven by John Heenan, 60, of Glendale, struck the rear of a line of vehicles stopped in a left-turn lane at Ledgewood Drive, according to Fourth Squad detectives.
Police said the impact triggered a chain reaction involving four additional vehicles. The initial collision pushed a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander into a 2025 Tesla Model 3, which then struck a 2020 Toyota Camry. The Camry was forced into a 2023 Mazda CX5, completing the sequence of crashes.
Following the car crash, Heenan’s vehicle caught fire, and flames spread to the Tesla, authorities said.
The Smithtown Fire Department responded to extinguish the blaze.
Emergency responders transported six people to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment. Five victims were taken by ambulance, while one was airlifted by Suffolk County Police helicopter due to the severity of injuries.
Heenan suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Erin Applebaum, 43, of Hauppauge, who was driving the Mitsubishi, also sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Her two daughters, ages 9 and 12, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Tesla, Michelle Lewis, 43, of Hauppauge, and her 8-year-old son were also treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The drivers of the Toyota and Mazda CX5 were not injured.
All five vehicles involved were impounded for safety checks as the investigation continues. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information to contact Suffolk County Police. No charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing as authorities review evidence, including vehicle conditions and possible contributing factors leading up to the collision. Drivers urged use caution.