23-Year-Old Dies In Long Island Crash; 1 Woman Ejected, Another Entrapped: Police

FLANDERS, NY — A 23-year-old Riverhead man died in a head-on crash in Flanders early Sunday, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, the crash took place around 2:39 a.m. on Flanders Road near Birch Creek Road

Upon arrival, patrol units discovered that the collision appeared to be head-on, between a 2025 White Chevrolet Malibu and a 2005 Grey Honda four-door sedan, which resulted in both vehicles sustaining "catastrophic damage," police said.

As a result of the collision, the operator of the Honda, Juan Camilo Alape-Penuela, was fatally injured and was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said. One female passenger in the Honda was ejected from the vehicle and a second female passenger was entrapped, police said. Both passengers sustained serious physically injuries, police said.

The Flanders Fire Department responded and extricated the entrapped female, who was then flown by Suffolk County police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment; the other woman was transported via ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said.

The driver of the Chevrolet sustained a head injury as a result of the collision and was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment, police said.

Southampton Town police detectives responded to the scene to investigate. Additional agencies responded to assist, including Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Southampton Village Volunteer Ambulance, Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Westhampton Beach Village police, New York State Police and Suffolk County park rangers, police said.

The Southampton Town Police Department’s drone unit was utilized to search the road and marsh areas adjacent to Flanders Road near the collision site for any possible additional victims, police said.

The New York State Police Department's forensic identification unit responded to assist with the investigation and crash scene reconstruction, authorities said.

Flanders Road was closed for several hours between Longneck Boulevard in Flanders and Red Creek Road in Hampton Bays; the roadway was reopened at 9:45 a.m., police said.

The Southampton Town Police Department's detective division is actively investigating the incident. Detectives ask that anyone with information call 631-702-2230 or 631-728-3400.