Police Release New Info About Crash That Killed Manhasset Alumni

MANHASSET, NY — Authorities have released new information about the head-on collision that killed five people — including two Manhasset brothers — in the Hamptons this summer.

The fatal crash that rocked communities across Long Island happened the evening of July 24 in Quogue, a sleepy village just east of Westhampton. A Nissan Maxima traveling west on Montauk Highway left its lane and slammed into a Toyota Prius heading east with five people inside, according to Quogue Village police. The Nissan was reportedly being followed by police.

In the Prius, brothers James Farrell Jr., 25, and Michael Farrell, 20, died along with their friend — 25-year-old Ryan Kiess of Manhasset — and their Uber driver — 32-year-old Farhan Zahid of Bay Shore. Kiess' girlfriend of six years, Brianna Maglio, 22, of Garden City, was critically injured in the crash.

The driver of the Nissan — identified as Justin Mendez, 22, of Brookhaven — was pronounced dead at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

Police Say Driver Sped 106 MPH Before Colliding With Uber

Authorities have always said Mendez may have been speeding at the time of the crash. But after conducting an investigation, police have more clarity.

On Friday, the Quogue Village Police Department said the New York State Police's collision reconstruction unit recovered data from the event data recorders of both vehicles — known as black boxes. The data indicated that Mendez's speed at the time of the collision was 86 miles per hour. Just seconds before the crash, he reached a speed of 106 miles per hour. There was no indication of braking.

On the other hand, police said Zahid was driving 27 miles per hour and stepped on the brakes four seconds before the collision.

A witness who was traveling east on County Road 80 was also interviewed by police.

"I saw a red car near the old VFW in Quogue on Montauk Highway," the witness said. "I did not realize until after my headlights had illuminated the vehicle that the red car had no lights on and was completely blacked out. When this vehicle passed me, it appeared as the vehicle was traveling at over 100 miles per hour, which sounded like a race car, taking my breath away. Next, I saw a police car with the emergency lights on around 100 yards or 10 to 15 seconds behind the red car, with the police car not making any headway of closing the distance between them."

Any death of a person potentially caused by an act or omission of a police officer is reviewed by the New York State Attorney General's Office.

"That office reviewed this incident and indicated that there was no cause to pursue action against the police officer," police said.

Victim's Father Calls Out Police For "Lack Of Transparency"

Kurt Kiess, who lost his son Ryan in the crash, spoke out about the police department's findings.

"While the Quogue Village Police Department seems eager to release to the public data highlighting the reckless conduct of the driver of the Nissan Maxima," he said, "we are greatly troubled by the lack of transparency with regard to the Quogue Police's own conduct in this tragedy."

He added: "Notwithstanding the alleged findings of the New York State General, it seems apparent that the Nissan driver was pushed to such reckless conduct in an attempt to evade the pursuit by the Quogue Police, a pursuit that, at this point, seems unjustified and reckless in itself."

Kiess said he and his family were previously advised by Quogue police that the pursuing officer first identified the Nissan three-quarters of a mile away from the crash site traveling at 55 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone.

It's a routine traffic violation that would have warranted an attempted stop by the police, but not a high-speed pursuit causing the driver to double his speed toward a dangerous, curved section of Montauk Highway, according to Kiess.

"Many questions remain unanswered by the Quogue Police: I would like to know the maximum speed of the police car and the length of the pursuit? What is the QPD policy on pursuits and what training did the officer have in this area? We await the release of the full collision reconstruction report by the New York State Police as well as the dashcam footage and radio communications of the Quogue Police Department," he said.

Another Grieving Parent Files Suit Against Authorities

About a week before the department released its findings, James Farrell — the father of James, Jr., and Michael — filed a notice of claim against Quogue Village police and village officials.

According to the notice of claim, damages are being sought for "severe personal injuries, conscious pain and suffering, pre-impact terror, and fear of impending death" for the Farrell brothers, as well as for claims of wrongful death, funeral, burial, and wake expenses, loss of inheritance, loss of wages, and loss of financial support and guidance to their family.

The force also faulted for having an "insufficient and outdated policy on vehicle pursuits and vehicle following practices as part of the standard operating procedure of the Quogue Village Police."

The department declined to comment on the notice that was filed by Farrell.

Kiess said he agreed with the Farrell family's position. But when asked if he'd pursue litigation as well, he said he could not comment yet.

SEE ALSO:

• Dad Of 2 Killed In Crash To File $40M Suit Against LI Village, PD
• 'I Love You:' LI Community Mourns Manhasset Bros Killed In Crash

Patch's Lisa Finn contributed to this report.