Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A single-vehicle crash in Medford early Monday morning killed one passenger and left a driver seriously injured, according to Suffolk County police. The fatal accident occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. on Bellport Avenue, between Long Island Avenue and Horseblock Road.
Jefry Valdez Cruz, 25, of Medford, was driving a 2015 BMW southbound on Bellport Avenue when his vehicle veered into the northbound lane, left the roadway and struck several trees, police said. The impact killed one of his passengers at the scene.
Edgar Guevara Ramos, 22, of Bellport, was pronounced dead at the scene by an EMT from the Yaphank Fire Department, according to police. Valdez Cruz was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Two other male passengers in the BMW were also injured in the crash. A 24-year-old man from Medford and a 26-year-old man from Selden were both transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The BMW was impounded for a safety check following the crash, according to police. Detectives from the Fifth Squad are investigating the circumstances that led to the vehicle leaving the roadway and striking the trees.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on Bellport Avenue in Medford, a residential area of Suffolk County. The stretch of road where the accident happened runs between Long Island Avenue and Horseblock Road, with the BMW traveling southbound before veering across into the northbound lane and leaving the roadway entirely.
The section of Bellport Avenue where the crash took place appears to have trees close enough to the roadway that vehicles leaving the pavement can strike them, as occurred in this fatal accident.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The investigation into the crash remains active, with Suffolk County police detectives from the Fifth Squad handling the case. Police have not released information about potential charges or what may have caused Valdez Cruz’s vehicle to veer off the roadway.
The BMW has been impounded for a safety inspection, which is standard procedure in serious crashes to determine if mechanical failure played any role in the accident.