Wrong-Way Crash on Sunrise Highway Leaves Two Men Critically Injured

A wrong-way crash on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa in the early hours of Jan. 1 critically injured two men and prompted a police arrest, officials said. Authorities allege a 2021 Mercedes driven westbound in the eastbound lanes near Louden Avenue struck a 2015 Acura; both vehicles carried only their drivers, and both men were taken to area hospitals in critical condition.

Police arrested 32-year-old Tasabbir Hossain of Ronkonkoma and charged him with DWI-related offenses, according to statements from law enforcement. Homicide and traffic investigators are handling the ongoing investigation to determine the full circumstances and whether additional charges may follow as the medical and forensic facts become clearer.

The crash occurred on one of the county’s principal east-west arteries during a period when impaired-driving incidents often rise. Sunrise Highway is a major commuter route that links residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and access to parkways and interstates. Closures or lane restrictions following a collision of this severity can produce significant traffic disruption for residents who rely on the corridor for work and school commutes.

Beyond immediate traffic impacts, the collision raises policy and public-safety questions for local officials and law enforcement. Wrong-way collisions are rare but disproportionately severe; when impairment is suspected, they also touch on prevention, enforcement and post-crash response. County and municipal leaders may face renewed calls to review countermeasures such as enhanced signage, median and ramp design changes, targeted patrols during high-risk hours, and public education on impaired driving. The involvement of homicide investigators indicates the department is treating the incident with high priority, consistent with protocols for severe traffic cases.

For residents, the crash is a reminder of the risks associated with late-night driving and impaired operation of vehicles. It also spotlights how local traffic safety policy, coordination among policing units, and investments in roadway engineering can affect outcomes when crashes occur. As investigators work to reconstruct the collision, prosecutors and traffic safety officials will determine whether enforcement or infrastructure changes are warranted to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.