1 Teen Dead, 2 Critically Injured In LIE Crash

MELVILLE, NY — A teen was killed and and two others were critically injured in a two-car crash on the Long Island Expressway on Monday night, Suffolk police said.

A 2005 Honda Civic, driven by Erick Alvarado, 18, of Hicksville, was traveling east on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 49S in Melville when the car struck an eastbound 2020 Mazda SUV around 9:50 p.m., police said. Both cars left the road and crashed into the woods, police said.

Josue Melendez-Florez, 19, of Hicksville, who was a passenger in the Honda, was pronounced dead at Plainview Hospital, police said. A 14-year-old Hicksville boy who is a minor, another passenger, was brought to Nassau University Medical Center in critical condition, police said. Cristian Florez, 18, of Hicksville, a third passenger, was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, police said.

Alvarado and the Mazda driver are being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.

Both cars were impounded for safety inspections. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.