SMITHTOWN, NY — New York State Police have identified the two men who died in separate fiery crashes at the Sunken Meadow State Park toll booth area exactly one week apart in September.
Vijay Cheema, 74, of Fort Salonga, died in the first crash on Sept. 14, while Gregory Salone, 70, of Kings Park, died in the second crash on Sept. 21, State Police said Tuesday.
Police said their investigation determined that Cheema died by suicide.
Troopers responded to the first crash at about 11:14 a.m. Sept. 14 at the northern end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway in Smithtown.
A preliminary investigation determined that a vehicle crashed into the toll booth area at the entrance to Sunken Meadow State Park and became engulfed in flames, police said.
Cheema was found dead inside the vehicle. Police initially said the extensive damage caused by the crash and fire made it difficult to identify the person and determine the make and model of the vehicle.
Exactly one week later, at about 1:04 p.m. Sept. 21, State Police responded to another one-vehicle crash in the toll booth area.
That vehicle also crashed into the toll booth area and became engulfed in flames, police said. Salone was found dead inside the vehicle.
State Police said Tuesday that the cause of the Sept. 21 incident remains under investigation.
The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to both crashes, with other agencies assisting.
New York State Park Police and Suffolk County Police assisted at both scenes. The Smithtown Fire Department responded to the Sept. 14 crash, while the Kings Park Fire Department assisted following the Sept. 21 crash.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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