Police ID LI Man Killed In Wrong-Way Sunrise Highway Crash

EAST MORICHES, NY — Police have identified the man who died in a wrong-way crash on the Sunrise Highway Wednesday afternoon as Donald Kwarta, 66, of Shoreham.

According to Suffolk County police, the crash took place in the eastbound lane at Exit 61 in East Moriches at 1:32 p.m.

Kwarta was driving a 2018 GMC Yukon west on Sunrise Highway when the vehicle veered into the center median and crossed into the eastbound lanes of the roadway, police said. The GMC traveled westbound in the eastbound lanes for about an eighth of a mile before striking a 2023 Mack truck that was parked on the eastbound shoulder at Exit 61, police said.

Kwarta was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The driver of the truck, Keith Schwamb, 58, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

The Mack truck was inspected at the scene by the Motor Carrier Safety Section; the GMC was
impounded for a safety check, police said.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact Seventh Squad detectives at 631-852-8752.