1 Injured In Route 48 Crash: Police

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A three car crash at Depot Lane and Route 48 in Cutchogue sent at least one person to the hospital Thursday, police said.

The crash took place at about 10:40 a.m. at same intersection in Cutchogue where the 2015 deadly limo crash took place.

No one was seriously injured in the crash between a Jeep, an SUV and a third vehicle, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said. Flatley said it appeared that the crash took place due to a failure to yield the right of way.

Cutchogue Fire Department Rescue responded to the scene.

2015 limo crash at Depot Lane and Route 48

In December, a 156-page New York Supreme Court Suffolk County Special Grand Jury Report regarding the 2015 crash at the Depot Lane and Route 48 site was released, with recommendations discussed at a press conference convened by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Findings indicate that the grand jury would like to see U-turns by modified or stretch limos banned in Suffolk County and New York State, enhanced driver certification requirements, and a new traffic light at County Road 48 with a green turning arrow with a red phase for both eastbound and westbound traffic.

The "lack of regulations" regarding stretch limos was cited, as was the "inadequate traffic light" at County Road 48 and Depot Lane, Spota said.

The limousine, driven by Carlos Pino and owned by Ultimate Class Limousine, Inc., was transporting eight young women touring local wineries on July 18, 2015, Spota said.

Brittney Schulman, 23, and Lauren Baruch, 24, both of Smithtown, Stephanie Belli, 23, of Kings Park, and Amy Grabina, 23, of Commack, all lost their lives.

Injured in the accident were Joelle M. Dimonte, 25, of Ellwood, Melissa Angela Crai, 23, of Scarsdale, Alicia Arundel, 24, of Setauket, and Olga Lipets, 24, of Brooklyn.

After the tragic accident, many implored Suffolk County to install a traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 48 and Depot Lane.

But, despite the fact that a traffic signal was later installed on Depot Lane — no green lefthand turning arrow was installed, igniting an outcry from residents.

At that December press conference, Spota also said the traffic light at Route 48, at the time of the 2015 crash, was merely flashing yellow lights. The Suffolk County Department of Public Works had decided to change the light in 2014 but no action was taken until two months after the fatal limo crash, Spota said. The report indicates that a new light with a green turning arrow is critical.

Despite the fact that the town board and residents had pleaded for a new light for years, until recently, the county said "traffic was insufficient to warrant a change," Spota said.

As it stands, he said, conditions are now more dangerous than they were before the new light. So far, Spota said, the county has "declined" to install the green turning arrow, despite evidence that says it would be a "minor adjustment," he said.