Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 14-year-old Miller Place middle school student remains hospitalized in critical condition after his bicycle collided with a truck Tuesday afternoon on Route 25A, according to police. Andrew Salgado, an eighth-grade student at North Country Middle School and varsity soccer player, was riding eastbound on the shoulder of Route 25A around 3:20 p.m. when his bicycle struck the passenger-side door of a westbound Ford F-550 that was turning left into L Delea & Sons Sod Farms, police said.
The driver of the Ford F-550, a 58-year-old Sound Beach man, remained at the scene and called 911 following the collision, according to police. The driver was not injured in the crash. Salgado was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, suffering from multiple broken bones and brain damage, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser established for the family.
The crash occurred after school hours as Salgado was cycling on the busy Route 25A corridor in Miller Place. The collision took place at the entrance to L Delea & Sons Sod Farms, where the westbound commercial truck was attempting to make a left turn across traffic when the eastbound bicycle struck the vehicle’s passenger door. Police have not released additional details about the circumstances leading to the collision or whether any citations were issued.
Salgado faces multiple surgeries and a long recovery period as he battles the extensive injuries sustained in the crash, according to family supporters. The teen’s condition has prompted an outpouring of community support, with classmates, friends and neighbors creating a growing memorial display at the Miller Place Duck Pond, located just feet away from his middle school. Dozens of heartfelt handwritten signs now hang on the wrought iron fence along the pond, with messages of encouragement for the hospitalized student.
The community response has extended far beyond the physical memorial at the duck pond. A GoFundMe campaign launched shortly after Tuesday’s crash has climbed past $51,000 with more than 750 donations as of Thursday afternoon, according to the fundraising platform. The online fundraiser specifically notes that contributions will go toward Salgado’s medical care and rehabilitation as he recovers from the severe injuries. The Miller Place PTA has amplified the fundraising effort on Facebook, urging local residents to contribute and keep the Salgado family in their thoughts during this difficult time.
“We were heartbroken to hear of this accident, and are keeping Andrew in our thoughts for a full recovery,” the Miller Place PTA wrote on their Facebook page. “Every donation helps support Andrew & the Salgado family in his recovery.” The organization’s endorsement has helped spread awareness of the fundraising campaign throughout the local school community and broader Miller Place area.
Local businesses have also stepped forward to support the Salgado family during Andrew’s hospitalization and recovery. Lavieri’s Pizza on Wheels plans to donate all proceeds from a special pop-up event this Sunday to help the family with mounting medical expenses. The fundraising event is scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m., or until the food is sold out, at Heritage Park in Mount Sinai. The business has committed to giving all proceeds from the day’s sales directly to the Salgado family as Andrew continues his fight in the hospital.
Location & Road Context
The collision occurred on Route 25A in Miller Place, a major east-west arterial road that runs through multiple North Shore communities on Long Island. This section of Route 25A sees heavy traffic throughout the day, serving both local residents and commercial vehicles accessing businesses along the corridor. The crash site at the entrance to L Delea & Sons Sod Farms represents a typical commercial access point where trucks frequently make turning movements across traffic lanes.
The proximity of the crash site to North Country Middle School, located just feet from the Miller Place Duck Pond where the memorial has grown, highlights the route’s use by local students traveling to and from school. The afternoon timing of the collision, occurring around 3:20 p.m., coincides with typical school dismissal hours when student pedestrian and bicycle traffic increases along area roadways.
Broader Impact
The severity of Andrew Salgado’s injuries, including brain damage and multiple broken bones, underscores the vulnerability of cyclists when involved in collisions with large commercial vehicles like the Ford F-550 truck involved in this crash. The community’s rapid mobilization of support, generating over $51,000 in donations within just two days, reflects both the extensive medical costs associated with traumatic brain injuries and the long-term rehabilitation needs facing the 14-year-old student and his family.