2 Seriously Injured In Suffolk Crash Involving Stolen Car: Police

NORTH PATCHOGUE, NY — Two people were seriously injured when a stolen SUV caused a chain-reaction crash in North Patchogue on Thursday night, Suffolk police said.

Jeffrey Edsall was driving a stolen 2001 Ford Explorer northbound on North Ocean Avenue, when he crashed the SUV into the back of a northbound 2013 Chevy Suburban, driven by a 19-year-old from Central Islip, who was turning left into the Ru land Funeral Home on North Ocean Avenue at around 7 p.m., according to police.

The impact caused the Explorer to spin into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a southbound 2015 Nissan Rogue, driven by a 46-year-old from East Patchogue, police said, adding that the Explorer overturned, and Edsall was thrown from the vehicle.

The Rogue then collided with a southbound 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, driven by a 48-year-old from Mt. Sinai, police said.

Edsall, 52, of Patchogue, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The 19-year-old, and four rear seat passengers of the Suburban, three of whom were adults and the other a 5-year-old child, were taken to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.

The 46-year-old, as well as a front passenger of the Rogue, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

A 72-year-old woman from Ecuador, a rear passenger in the Rogue, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The 48-year-old, and the two 12-year-old boy passengers in the Atlas, were not injured.

Edsall was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. The Ford Explorer had been reported stolen from Randy’s Auto Repair on Medford Avenue in North Patchogue earlier in the day.

The vehicles were impounded.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to call the 5th Squad at 631-854-8552.