2 People Die After Car Crashes, Catches Fire, On Southern State: PD

WEST ISLIP, NY — Two people are dead after their car struck a tree and went up in flames early Monday morning, New York State Police said.

According to state police, troopers were called to a report of a one-car crash on the Southern State Parkway in the eastbound lane near Exit 40 at about 1:14 a.m.

A preliminary investigation determined that Travis T. Williams, 45, of Central Islip, was driving a Land Rover eastbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control, went off the road and struck a tree, causing the vehicle to catch fire, police said.

When troopers arrived, the Land Rover was observed against a tree on the southside shoulder, fully engulfed in flames.

Shenella Braithwaite, 35, Central Islip, a passenger, was taken Good Samaritan Hospital where she later died, police said.

Williams died at the scene, police said.

State police were assisted by the North Babylon Fire Department and North Babylon EMS.

The investigation is ongoing.