Miller Place Teen Bicyclist Critically Injured in Route 25A Truck Collision

Andrew Salgado, a 14-year-old varsity soccer player at Miller Place High School, was critically injured Tuesday afternoon when his bicycle collided with a commercial truck on Route 25A and the vehicle's rear tires rolled over him, according to Suffolk County Police.

The crash happened at approximately 3:20 p.m. near the entrance to L Delea & Sons Sod Farms at 696 Route 25A. Police said a westbound Ford F-550 XL Super Duty, driven by Timothy McLaughlin, 58, of Sound Beach, had merged into a turning lane to make a left turn into the sod farm when Salgado, riding eastbound on the shoulder, struck the truck's passenger-side door. Salgado fell from his bicycle, and the truck's rear passenger-side dually tires rolled over him. McLaughlin stopped immediately and called 911; he was not injured.

Salgado was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are leading the investigation. The Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol Bureau's Motor Carrier Safety Section also responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle.

The account offered by police was challenged Tuesday night by Brianna McLaughlin, daughter of the truck driver. In an email to Daily Voice, she wrote: "This was my father involved in this accident. You are reporting false news, teen was never ran over by the rear tires." She said surveillance footage showed Salgado "speeding up to beat the truck and drove into the side door." She also said the family was told around 6 p.m. that the teen had been stabilized, writing, "We were informed at around 6 o'clock that the teen was in stable condition." Arguing against the possibility that the rear tires struck the boy, she said: "That truck weighs 12,000 pounds, his condition would've been much worse if the back dually tires ran him over."

When Daily Voice asked Suffolk County Police about the family's claims, an official with the Public Information Bureau responded: "I do not see the inaccuracy," and reiterated the language in the department's release stating that the teen "struck his bicycle into the passenger side door of the truck." Police also confirmed they are not releasing surveillance video of the incident.

Brianna McLaughlin later clarified that her statements were not meant to minimize Salgado's injuries, but to describe her understanding of the crash sequence and its potential severity.

No charges had been filed against McLaughlin as of the time of reporting. Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to call 631-854-8652.