A Westbury resident was among the five victims of a violent motor vehicle accident near Exit 68 on the Long Island Expressway in Suffolk County, on Sunday, Aug. 21.
According to Suffolk Police Seventh Squad detectives, Carmelo Pinales of Hicksville was driving a gray Subaru Outback eastbound when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, which crossed over the grassy median, went airborne and struck a BMW and a Honda traveling westbound at approximately 9:35 a.m.
Pinales, 26, and his sister, Patricia Pinales, 27, of Westbury, were pronounced dead at the scene. Carmelo’s 10-year-old son, Christopher Pinales, also from Hicksville, was transported in critical condition to Stony Brook University Hospital via Suffolk County Police helicopter and later died of his injuries.
Also in the car were Winnifer Garcia, 21, of Hempstead, reportedly Patricia’s sister, and Patricia’s 3-year-old daughter, also of Westbury. They were transported to local hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The five were en route to Splish Splash in Calverton for Christopher’s birthday.
Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, the driver of the 2014 Honda, was pronounced dead at the scene. His fiancée, Shelbi Thurau, 29, of Northport, was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Marvin Tenzer, 73, the driver of the 2016 BMW, and his three passengers, Sandra Tenzer, 69, Helen Adelson, and Isidore Adelson, 81, all of Westhampton, were transported to local hospitals, where Isidore Adelson later died. The others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives are investigating reports that Pinales was traveling at a high rate of speed. All three vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.
