81-Year-Old Saint James Pedestrian Killed in East Northport Crash

A pedestrian from Saint James died after being struck by a northbound vehicle while crossing Larkfield Road in East Northport, a crash that underscores ongoing concerns about nighttime pedestrian safety in the area.

Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives said Pierino Liberta, 81, was crossing the roadway from west to east in front of 332 Larkfield Road when a 2020 Subaru Outback traveling northbound struck him at approximately 10:50 p.m. on January 20, 2026. Liberta was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. The driver, identified as 19-year-old Jack Sandin of Northport, was not injured. Police impounded the Subaru for a safety check as part of the investigation.

The collision occurred late in the evening on a stretch of road familiar to residents of East Northport, Saint James and neighboring Northport. Such incidents carry ripple effects for small communities that rely on walkable connections between homes, shops and transit. For older residents and families with seniors, the loss highlights vulnerability when crossing busy local roads after dark.

Investigators will examine factors such as visibility, lighting, traffic speed, and possible driver or pedestrian impairment as they determine whether any charges are warranted. The vehicle impoundment and Second Squad inquiry are standard steps in fatal crashes and could influence insurance, civil liability and local traffic enforcement priorities.

Local emergency responders and public safety officials also face costs and logistical demands when serious crashes occur, from ambulance and police resources at the scene to longer-term responses like traffic studies or targeted enforcement. For municipal officials balancing budgets and priorities, a fatal pedestrian crash can prompt calls for relatively low-cost interventions such as improved street lighting, crosswalk enhancements, signage, or temporary speed reductions in high-foot-traffic corridors.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252. As the investigation continues, residents can expect follow-up from police and possible public discussions about safety measures on Larkfield Road and nearby corridors.

This tragedy will likely resonate across Saint James and East Northport as neighbors seek both accountability and practical steps to reduce the risk of future loss, with officials and community members weighing short-term responses and longer-term investments in safer streets.