Police ID 5 Men Killed In Head-On LI Crash

QUOGUE, NY — Police have identified the five men who died in a Quogue crash Saturday night.

Justin B. Mendez, 22, of Brookhaven, who was driving a red Nissan Maxima and crashed head-on into a gray Toyota Prius, died at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital a short time later, police said. The driver of the Prius, Farhan Zahid, 32, of Bay Shore, and three passengers, Michael O. Farrell, 20, James P. Farrell, 25, and Ryan J. Kiess, all from Manhassett, died at the scene, police said. A fourth passenger, Brianna M. Maglio, 22, of Garden City, remains hospitalized at Peconic Bay Medical Center in critical condition, police said.

Investigators believe excessive speed may have been a factor in the crash, police said.

According to Quogue Village Police, the crash took place at 11:19 p.m. near the intersection of Montauk Highway and Quogue Street (East). A red Nissan Maxima, driven by Mendez, who was alone in the vehicle, was heading west on Montauk Highway when it left its lane of travel and crashed head-on with the Prius with a Zahid and his four passengers that was traveling east on Montauk Highway, police said.

The crash is being investigated by Quogue Village Police detectives with the help of New York State Police, Southampton Town Police, and Westhampton Beach Police, authorities said.

Montauk Highway initially remained closed from Old Depot Road in Quogue to Quogue Street (East) while the investigation was underway but was reopened Sunday morning, police said.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Quogue Village Police Department at 631-653-4791.