NESCONSET, NY — A Lake Ronkonkoma man was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs after police said he drove the wrong way, ran a red light and struck three construction workers in Nesconset Monday morning, killing one and seriously injuring two others.
Thomas Lobianco, 26, was driving a 1999 Toyota Camry eastbound in the westbound lane of Townline Road at its intersection with Terry Road at about 6:40 a.m. when he drove through a red light and onto the sidewalk, Suffolk County police said.
The Camry struck three construction workers who were preparing for a Suffolk County paving project, police said. After hitting the workers, the car struck an electronic crossing sign, a utility pole and a fence.
All three workers were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Joel Sicon-Porix, 38, of Mastic, was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
Kevin Chavez-Sarmiento, 30, of Bay Shore, and Jose Gonzalez-Colindres, 33, of Brentwood, were admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police.
Lobianco was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. He was being held at the Suffolk County Police Department's Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina called the crash a tragedy and said the department would continue aggressively enforcing impaired-driving laws.
"Somebody lost their life today, and two others were severely injured," Catalina said. "It's terrible. When you see incidents like this happen, you realize that no matter what we do, we're going to have to do more. We're going to be out there aggressively enforcing these laws."
Police have not yet determined how fast Lobianco was driving at the time of the crash, Catalina said, adding that speed remains part of the investigation.
Catalina also said police have video of the crash.
The Camry had a Florida registration, Catalina said. Police were still investigating the vehicle's registration and ownership.
Major Case Unit detectives are investigating the crash and are asking anyone with information to call 631-852-6553.
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