UPDATED: Northport Man Critically Hurt After Crashing Into Tree in Fort Salonga

UPDATED Friday at 12:25 p.m.

A Northport man is in critical condition after police say his vehicle struck a tree Thursday morning in Fort Salonga at a notorious intersection.

According to police, Samuel Luby, 46, was driving a Dodge pickup truck westbound on Fort Salonga Road near Makamah Road when when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree at 7:55 a.m.

Members of the Northport Fire Department arrived to the scene and found the man pinned in his vehicle between the dashboard and steering wheel.

Responders used multiple extrication tools to cut the Ram truck apart to free the driver. EMS personnel stabilized Luby to prevent further injury by movement and he was moved to a Northport Fire Department ambulance.

He was taken to Norwood Ave Elementary School in Northport, a designated landing zone for the helicopter and was then airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Another vehicle struck the same tree in February, killing two and seriously injuring one. Zoe Berger, a close friend of the victims in the February crash, told Patch she hopes officials will work to make the turn safer.

"I believe there should be more guardrails, lighting and possible warning signs for the speed in which people are driving on this turn," she said.

Another resident told Patch he believes it is time to remove the tree.

Patch contacted the New York State Department of Transportation to ask if it is planning on implementing any safety measures at the intersection. The DOT representative said she will have an official statement by Friday morning.

Do you think it's time to make this intersection safer? Sound off in the comments below.

The Thursday morning crash caused Fort Salonga Road to be closed between Norwood Road and Makamah Road from approximately 8:10 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., according to Suffolk Police.

Additional Northport FD equipment and personnel responded to help secure the landing zone.

Units were under the command of chief of department Brad Wine, first assistant chief John Jacobsen and second assistant chief Dennis Sheridan.

The pickup truck was impounded for a safety check, and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

Image via Northport Police