SCPD and Dix Hills Fire Department Respond to LIE Overturn Crash

The Suffolk County Police and the Dix Hills Fire Department responded to a report of a heavy rescue overturn crash on the westbound Long Island Expressway near Bagatelle Road, Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at about 7:45 p.m. Chief Robert Fling was the first arriving chief, and confirmed an overturned vehicle with the driver ejected and a passenger trapped within. Heavy Rescue units were on scene moments later using the “Jaws of Life” and other hydraulic rescue equipment to free the pinned driver.

About 30 Dix Hills volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel were on scene with three heavy rescue trucks, three ambulances, and paramedic units, under the direction of Chief Fling, and Assistant Chiefs Tom Napolitano, Alan Berkowitz and Joe Williamson.

The driver sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported by a Suffolk Police Medevac helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital. The passenger was freed from the vehicle and was transported to Huntington Hospital by the Dix Hills Rescue Squad with minor injuries.

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that injured a man in Melville last night.

Christopher Wegner was operating his 1999 Ford Expedition when he lost control and overturned his vehicle on the right shoulder of the westbound L.I.E between exits 50 and 49 in at 7:43 p.m. Wegner, 29, of Wantagh was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He sustained a broken hip and a broken femur. His wife, Angelica Wegner 24, of New Hampshire, was in the passenger seat and sustained minor injuries.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. The vehicle was impounded for a Safety Check. Anyone with information is asked to call the Second Squad at (631) 854-8252

Photos by Dix Hills Fire Department              Story by Steve Silverman & Nicholas Wieland