Man Killed In Fiery Crash Into Long Island Restaurant

COMMACK, NY – A man was killed when his minivan crashed into a parked pickup truck and then a Commack restaurant before catching fire early Sunday, police said.

According to police, the man was driving a 2004 Nissan Quest east on Jericho Turnpike at 12:35 a.m. when he lost control of the minivan and struck an unoccupied, parked 2011 Ford pickup truck and Casa Luis, a Spanish restaurant located at 1033 W. Jericho Turnpike.

The Commack Fire Department responded to the scene and found the overturned minivan engulfed in flames that extended to the restaurant with an active natural gas leak.

The minivan's driver, who was alone in his vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identification will be determined by the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, police said. Two people inside an apartment above Casa Luis at the time of the crash escaped uninjured.

Commack firefighters were assisted by the Kings Park, Smithtown, East Northport, Greenlawn and Dix Hills fire departments, as well as the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Suffolk Fire Rescue coordinators.

About 75 firefighters using eight trucks had the fire under control within an hour, under the command of assistant chiefs Bobby Wilkins and John Barry.

Police are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

Info courtesy of Steve Silverman. Photos courtesy of Jack O'Loughlin of the Commack Fire Department.