'A Tragic Accident' As Long Island Couple Dies In 2-Vessel Crash On Great South Bay: Cops

OCEAN BAY PARK, NY — A vessel crash that killed a husband and wife late Sunday night on Great South Bay near Fire Island appears to be "a tragic accident," Suffolk police said Monday.

Louis and Renee Deritis of Oakdale died after a two-vessel collision that happened about 10:40 p.m., according to police.

Louis, 53, had been captaining the couple's 27-foot 1989 OC/MA that collided with a 44-foot 1989 Henriques Sport Fisherman in the bay, just north of Ocean Bay Park, between North Channel and Range Channel, police said.

He was thrown from the vessel, which capsized in the crash, and his body was found at around 7:26 a.m. on Monday, Suffolk Dep. Chief William Scrima said in a news conference aired by News 12 Long Island.

Renee, 50, was found in the cabin by scuba rescuers, and she was later pronounced dead by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, authorities said.

Scrima said the investigation found the Henriques, captained by Ferdinand Caravousanos, 61, of West Babylon, was headed southwest in the bay and Deritis's vessel was headed east when, for reasons that remain unexplained, it abruptly turned north into the path of the Henriques.

Scrima said Caravousanos throttled down immediately but could not avoid hitting the smaller vessel. He did not have information on how fast the two vessels were traveling at the time of the crash.

"We have no reason to believe any drugs or alcohol were involved," Scrima said. "It's just a tragic accident."

There were no injuries among the Henriques' four passengers, all friends headed for a fishing trip, Scrima said.

Authorities believe the Deritises were headed back to Oakdale from Kismet.

Both vessels were impounded for safety checks, according to police.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the 3rd Squad at 631-854-8352.