Teen Critically Hurt in Crash After Fleeing Police: Cops

BOHEMIA, NY – A 16-year-old was critically injured in a two-car crash in Bohemia early Sunday after he fled from police who were trying to pull him over, police said.

The teen, Thomas Barbella, of Bohemia, was drunk at the time of the crash, police said.

According to police, Barbella was driving a 2004 GMC south in the northbound lanes of Lakeland Avenue at about 12:23 a.m. when a Suffolk County Fifth Precinct patrol officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Barbella fled and a pursuit was then initiated, police said. A short time later, Barbella crashed into a 2016 Ford Fusion at the intersection of Lakeland Avenue and the Sunrise Highway North Service Road.

Barbella was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital via Suffolk County Police helicopter in critical condition. The driver of the Ford Fusion, 26-year-old Breanna Gamaldi, of Bohemia, was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore via Community Ambulance of Sayville with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Barbella was charged with DWI with additional charges pending. He was issued a field appearance ticket at the hospital for arraignment at a later date.

The investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone who may have information to contact Fifth Squad detectives at 631-854-8552.