RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 24, 2011, Merrick Life
Serious car accident in Merrick
Serious accident at the corner of Babylon Turnpike and Sunrise Highway in Merrick.
A serious five car accident happened near the corner of Babylon Turnpike and Sunrise Highway on Friday, February 18. Eye witnesses suggest high rate of speed was involved. A pregnant Bellmore woman involved in accident is under medical observation and a man was airlifted to a medical facility.
Traffic advisory (as of 11:30 a.m. 2/18/11) All eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway are closed just east of the Meadowbrook Parkway. The left lane of westbound Sunrise Highway is closed at Dobson Avenue. These closures are due to a motor vehicle accident. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.
Photos by Doug Finlay and Paul J. DeMaria/MFD
A seven-car accident occurred on Sunrise Highway in Merrick on Friday morning after Alexandra Vargas Bradley of Massapequa struck a car stopped in traffic, setting off a chain reaction that damaged six other vehicles and injured several passengers.
According to Nassau police, the accident occurred after Ms. Bradley, 41, driving a 2008 Lexus eastbound on Sunrise Highway, struck a 1998 Dodge Suburban stopped in traffic at Dobson Avenue.
This propelled the Dodge into the car in front of it, causing a chain reaction that damaged four more cars. Meanwhile, Ms. Bradley’s car struck two parked cars before coming to a stop.
A 68-year-old man in the Dodge Suburban was transported by a Nassau police helicopter to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was listed in critical condition. The driver and occupant of the vehicle hit by the Dodge, as well as a driver in the next vehicle struck, were transported to area hospitals, where they were treated and released.
Ms. Bradley was transported to Nassau University Medical Center, where she was found to be in possession of the prescription butalbital, police said.
Butalbital is a barbiturate usually combined with medications such as acetaminophen to treat pain and headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. Side effects from butalbital include dizziness, drowsiness, intoxicated feelings and impaired judgment.
Ms. Bradley was arrested and charged with Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Assault, Assault, Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), Vehicular Assault, Reckless Endangerment and Reckless Driving. She will be arraigned at a later date.
