Fatal Rte. 25 Crash Remains Under Investigation

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of last week's fatal motor vehicle crash that took place on Route 25 in between Meadow Road and Old Willets Path.

"The investigation is ongoing and it usually takes several months to reach any conclusions," said Sergeant Twanine of the Suffolk County Police Department, who is overseeing the investigation.

In 2007, two Smithtown West teens were also killed on this stretch of state road that 30,000 drivers use each day. Since then, the Department of Transportation has partnered with local officials to enact the following changes:

Reduced Speed Limits: The westbound speed limit was reduced to 45 mph from 55 mph and the eastbound speed limit was reduced to 50 MPH from 55 MPH. The westbound left through lane was eliminated to provide a larger center median area and left turn lanes. 

Increased Median Size: The center median area was increased from two feet to 12 feet. 

Rumble Stripe Additions: Rumble stripes (audible roadway delineators installed parallel to the center line of the roadway) were installed to alert motorists who accidentally drift out of the travel lane into the center median area. 

Enhanced Markings: Signing and pavement markings were installed to alert motorists of the existing highway geometry. 

Studies by the Department of Transportation report that accidents have decreased by 13 percent since these changes were made and  that the average westbound speed dropped 15 mph from 67 to 52. Last week's accident was also the first head-on collision since the changes were installed, according to Eileen Peters, public information officer for the DOT Region 10.

The DOT has explored adding a median barrier to the road, but concluded that the barrier would create additional hazards.

"The study determined that if a barrier were installed, the number of accidents, possibly severe, may increase since errant drivers would have little to no room to recover and regain control of their car," Peters said, adding that the barrier would create problems for the businesses on the south side and for Caleb Smith State Park, since traffic would have to be rerouted.

Without a completed accident report, officials can't determine if last week's accident, which involved an eastbound car drifting into the westbound lane killing a Commack woman, was due to driver error or because of faulty road engineering.

"Once NYSDOT engineers review the SCPD accident report containing the specific circumstances of this tragic accident, we will be able to determine whether the road conditions were a factor," Peters said.