Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 14-year-old Miller Place boy remains in critical condition at Stony Brook University Hospital after his bicycle collided with a turning truck on Route 25A Tuesday afternoon, according to reports. Andrew Salgado, who plays soccer for Miller Place, suffered multiple broken bones and brain damage in the crash that occurred around 3:20 p.m.
The collision happened when Salgado was riding eastbound on the shoulder of Route 25A and struck the passenger-side door of a westbound Ford F-550 XL Super Duty truck that was turning left into L Delea & Sons Sod Farms, according to Greater Long Island. The truck driver, Timothy McLaughlin, 58, of Sound Beach, stopped at the scene and called 911 following the impact.
Salgado was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he remains in critical condition with severe injuries. Medical officials indicate the teen faces multiple surgeries and a long road to recovery, with his family maintaining a bedside vigil at the hospital. The extent of his brain damage and broken bones will require extensive medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation.
The community response has been swift and overwhelming, with a GoFundMe campaign launched Wednesday morning by a family friend raising nearly $27,000 in its first 11 hours. The fundraiser aims to help offset mounting medical costs, including hospital bills, multiple surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation expenses for the critically injured teen.
The Miller Place PTA amplified the fundraising effort on Facebook, posting their support for the Salgado family. “We were heartbroken to hear of this accident, and are keeping Andrew in our thoughts for a full recovery,” the PTA wrote in their social media post. “Every donation helps support Andrew & the Salgado family in his recovery.”
As news of the accident spread throughout the Miller Place community, students and residents gathered at the Miller Place Duck Pond on Wednesday to create a tribute for the injured teen. Community members hung signs along the fence bearing words of encouragement for Andrew, demonstrating the tight-knit community’s solidarity during this difficult time. The outpouring of support reflects the impact the young soccer player has had on his school and neighborhood.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on Route 25A in Miller Place, a busy thoroughfare that runs through multiple Long Island communities. The specific location was at the entrance to L Delea & Sons Sod Farms, where the westbound truck was attempting to make a left turn across traffic when the eastbound cyclist struck the vehicle’s passenger door.
Route 25A has a history of incidents in our traffic database, with 10 recorded events including multiple roadwork projects involving traffic signal repairs, drainage improvements, and overhead sign repairs. The road serves as a major east-west corridor through Suffolk County, handling both local and through traffic in the Miller Place area.
Broader Impact
The severity of this bicycle-vehicle collision highlights the vulnerability of cyclists sharing roadway space with commercial vehicles, particularly during turning maneuvers. The involvement of a Ford F-550 XL Super Duty truck, a heavy commercial vehicle commonly used in landscaping and construction work, underscores the significant force differential when such vehicles interact with bicycles on busy roadways like Route 25A.