Woman Killed, Man Seriously Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a multi-vehicle crash that killed a woman and seriously injured a man in East Northport last night December 26, 2016.

Karla Kovach was driving a 2008 Kia northbound on Larkfield Road, near 5^th Avenue, when her vehicle struck a 2008 Nissan that was slowing in traffic at 9:50 p.m. The Nissan, operated by Darin Costello, struck the side of Mario’s Pizza, located at 311A Larkfield Road. After striking the Nissan, the Kia spun into the rear of a 2013 Mercedes, driven by Elias Francois, which forced the Mercedes into the rear of a 2011 Cadillac, which was stopped on northbound Larkfield Road.

Kovach, 52, of East Northport, was transported to Huntington Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Costello, 37, of Northport, was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore with serious injuries. François, 46, of East Northport, and her two child passengers were transported to Huntington Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Cadillac, Anthony Nullet, 25, of East Northport, and his passenger were not injured. Both Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and East Northport Fire Department responded and transported the victims to hospitals.

The Kia was impounded for a safety inspection.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Second Squad detectives at 631-854-8252.

Fire Department Responds:

The East Northport Fire Department responded to a crash on Larkfield Road and Fifth Avenue, Monday night, Dec. 26, 2016. Four vehicles were involved with one car crashing into Mario’s Pizzeria. East Northport firefighters used heavy rescue extrication tools to remove the victims from two of the cars. East Northport FD was on the scene with three trucks, three ambulances and fire police, under the command of Chief Wayne Kaifler Jr. and Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan and Dan Flanagan. The Greenlawn Fire Department and Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps assisted with two additional ambulances, while the Northport and Kings Park fire departments provided standby coverage at East Northport fire headquarters. Seven patients were transported to area hospitals.

                                                                Photos by Steve Silverman