Huntington Man Struck, Killed by Taxi in Huntington Station

A Huntington man was struck by a taxi and killed Sunday night in Huntington Station, authorities said.

Suffolk Police say Raymond Sipel, Jr., 30, was running eastbound across Depot Road and 20th Street at 10:45 p.m., when he was struck by a taxi. Sipel was pronounced dead at the scene by physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The taxi was driven by Christian Lopez-Barcelo, 31, of Huntington Station. Lopez-Barcelo was uninjured but taken to Huntington Hospital where he was treated for stress-related symptoms and released. He was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and released on an appearance ticket. The vehicle, owned by Orange and White Taxi Company, was impounded for a safety check, police said.

Sipel was an active firefighter with the the Huntington Manor Fire Department.

• Sign up for your local Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts here.

“Following in his father’s footsteps, Sipel Jr., joined the Hose Co. No. 1 in February of this year,” Huntington Manor Chief of Department Francis McQuade said. “Sipel Jr. had completed his National Firefighter 1 certification and looked forward to serving his community.”

“This is a tremendous loss to our brother Raymond Sipel Sr. [a 38-year member of the Department], his family and our department,” McQuade said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his family in their hour of sorrow.”

Suffolk police say the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Image: Raymond Sipel Sr., left; Raymond Sipel, Jr., right/Huntington Manor Fire Department Facebook

More on Patch:

• Florida Cop From N. Massapequa Shot to Death
• Watch: Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon Visit Montauk in Latest Episode of Web Series
• NYPD Officers ‘Assassinated’ in Apparent Revenge Shooting Over Police Violence
• Police: Man Exposed Himself to Woman in Macy’s Parking Lot
• “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” Written, Composed on Long Island
• Man Shot Dead, Woman Critically Injured in Westbury
• Cops: Menorah Outside Plainview Home Destroyed
• Police ID Driver in Lake Ronkonkoma DWI Crash