Riverhead Man, A'True Inspiration To Others,' Dies In Crash

RIVERHEAD, NY — The community is mourning a Riverhead man who was killed — four people were also injured — in a two-vehicle crash in Hauppauge Monday morning.

A 19-year-old Wyandanch woman was driving a 2011 Ford Econoline westbound on Route 347 when she collided with a 2019 Toyota Camry going northbound on Brooksite Drive, driven by a 42-year-old Hicksville Lyft driver, at 1:35 a.m., police said.

Brendan Haverty, 26, the passenger in the Toyota, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

A GoFundMe page, "Tragic Loss of Brendan Haverty," was created by his cousin Jackie Scott.

"My family and I have set up this GoFundMe page to help raise money for my cousin Brendan Haverty’s wife Jennifer and three young children Brielle, 3, Brendan Jr., 2, and Violet, 3 months, who tragically and unexpectedly lost their father in a car crash while in a Lyft on his way home."

Police confirmed that Haverty was a passenger in a Lyft.

"These funds will help pay costs for his funeral arrangements as well as the education and related costs for the children," Scott said.

Remembering her cousin, Scott wrote: "Brendan was an amazing and hardworking father, friend, son, brother, cousin — a true inspiration to others. His wife and children were his whole world. He will be missed so much by everyone."

She added: "We appreciate any and all donations to help take care of his amazing family during this tragic time."

Both drivers, the Wyandanch woman and Hicksville man, were taken to a hospital to be treated for serious injuries, police said.

The vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.