Man Killed in Chain-Reaction Crash on LIE

MELVILLE, NY – A 31-year-old man was fatally struck by a car after he got out of his own car to inspect the damage from a minor accident on the Long Island Expressway early Saturday, police said.

According to Suffolk Police, 58-year-old Madhava Reddy was driving a 2018 Mercedes Benz in the middle lane of the eastbound LIE near Exit 49 when he was struck from behind by a 2016 Nissan driven by Eric Preto at 12:38 a.m.

His wife Gabriella Preto and their 2-year-old son were also in the vehicle.

Preto, of Selden, left his vehicle, with his wife, Gabriella Preto, and their 2-year-old son inside, to check the damage on his car and to speak to Reddy.

As Preto was walking back to his vehicle, he was struck by a 2015 Subaru being driven by Jennifer Massaro. A 2017 Nissan being driven by Stephen Raia then struck Preto’s car.

Preto, 31, of Selden, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Reddy, of Dix Hills; Massaro, 38, of Smithtown; and Gabriella Preto and her child were all transported to local hospitals. Stephen Raia, 24, of Commack, was evaluated at the scene.

The injured victims were transported to Huntington Hospital, Plainview Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center.

All four vehicles were impounded for a safety check. No criminal charges have been filed.

The Melville Fire Department responded to the crash with five ambulances, an engine, heavy rescue truck, fire police, paramedic and first responder units with 30 firefighters and EMS personnel. An additional ambulance assisted from the Plainview Fire Department. Units were under the direction of assistant chiefs David Kaplan, Bill Schmitt and Jason Bernfeld.

Main photo courtesy of the Melville Fire Department