What Happened
One person was seriously injured and a second suffered minor injuries in a two-car crash at Veterans Memorial Highway and County Center Road in Smithtown at approximately 6:15 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026, according to Suffolk County police as reported by Patch.
One of the vehicles, a Honda minivan, sustained extensive front-end damage. One occupant was trapped inside and could not exit on their own. Smithtown firefighters were alerted via dispatch at 6:18 a.m., three minutes after the crash was reported, and arrived to find the person still inside the vehicle.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to remove the driver’s side door and extricate the trapped person, the Smithtown Fire Department said. Emergency medical personnel treated several patients at the scene. The fire department’s initial report described one patient as being in critical condition. Police later confirmed that designation as a serious injury; a second person sustained minor injuries.
It was not immediately clear whether the seriously injured person was the same individual who had been trapped inside the vehicle, according to Patch. No names or ages for either victim were released.
News 12 Long Island placed the collision at Veterans Memorial Highway and North Drive, just after 6 a.m., citing the Smithtown Fire Department. An ambulance from the East Brentwood Fire Department also responded to assist with patient care.
Smithtown firefighters operated under the command of Assistant Chief Palazzo. Once the extrication was complete, command of the scene transferred to Suffolk County police. Police stated no criminality was involved in the crash.
Location & Road Context
Veterans Memorial Highway runs east-west through the Town of Smithtown and carries substantial commuter traffic during the morning rush. The intersection with County Center Road sits near the Suffolk County government complex, a stretch that sees regular weekday volume from municipal employees and courthouse visitors. The crash at 6:15 a.m. put the scene active during the early build of the morning commute. For current conditions on roads in the Smithtown area, see our live traffic map.
Three separate crashes in Smithtown were reported in the ten days before this incident, including a fatal crash on September 14 investigated by State Police and a three-car crash that left one seriously injured on September 7.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating the crash. Police confirmed no criminality is suspected. No charges had been filed as of the afternoon of September 17, 2026.