82-year-old Water Mill man killed after Islandia crash on Express Drive North

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives continued investigating a deadly single-vehicle crash that killed an 82-year-old man from Water Mill after his car ran off Express Drive North in Islandia on Jan. 14. Emergency crews transported the driver to South Shore University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives said the driver’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, and they believe he may have suffered a medical event before the crash. Police impounded the vehicle for a safety check as part of the ongoing probe. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Fourth Squad.

The collision underscores overlapping concerns for local public health and road safety: the risks posed when drivers experience sudden medical emergencies behind the wheel, and the challenges of keeping older residents safe while preserving their mobility. Water Mill is on the South Fork and Islandia sits nearer the county’s central corridor, illustrating how county residents often travel long distances for appointments, errands, work and family — increasing the chance that a medical episode can have consequences far from home.

From a public health perspective, clinicians and families should pay attention to heart disease, stroke risk factors, episodic fainting, seizures, medication side effects and other conditions that can impair driving. Primary care providers, geriatricians and neurologists play a central role in screening for conditions that increase crash risk and advising patients about driving safety. Routine medication reviews and timely treatment of chronic conditions reduce the likelihood of sudden incapacitation.

The crash also raises equity questions about access to safe transportation alternatives. Older adults in Suffolk who live on the East End or in areas with limited public transit may rely on driving to reach medical care, groceries and social supports. When health conditions make driving unsafe, families and local agencies need to have realistic, affordable options for mobility, including volunteer driver programs, paratransit services and community-based assistance — and county planning should account for the transportation needs of aging residents.

For neighbors and family members, this incident is a reminder to check in on older drivers, review recent health changes or sync appointments with clinicians to discuss fitness to drive. Local employers, faith groups and community organizations can also help by coordinating rides for older adults who face transportation barriers.

Investigators with the Fourth Squad continue to examine the scene and vehicle. The vehicle has been impounded pending a safety inspection, and detectives are seeking any witnesses or motorists with dash-cam footage who can help clarify what happened. This case highlights the intersection of medical care, mobility and public safety that affects many Suffolk households, and it may prompt renewed conversation about how the county supports aging residents who need to get around safely.