Eyewitness News
Wednesday, July 06, 2016 04:58PM
MIDDLE ISLAND, New York (WABC) -- Law enforcement source says the driver that killed four people, including himself, and injured two others in Middle Island was drunk.
The head-on crash happened on Yaphank-Middle Island Road, near Rustic Road around 10:45 p.m. on July 4th.
The source says Gustave Geyer, the driver of the pickup truck that crashed in Middle Island, had a blood alcohol content of .16, which is twice the legal limit.
Authorities say a 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling southbound on Yaphank-Middle Island Road when Geyer, lost control of the vehicle and struck a northbound 2014 Nissan Altima.
Witnesses said Geyer as operating in an erratic and unsafe fashion.
"He was described as operating in a wild and crazy manner prior to the accident," Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron said. "He passed a car in a no passing zone in what's described as a high rate of speed."
At that point, police say Geyer lost control and veered into oncoming traffic.
"At some point, after the illegal passing maneuver, he tried to re-enter the proper lane," Cameron said. "He lost control of the vehicle. He was described as fish tailing. He entered the opposite lane again and hit the 2014 Nissan Altima."
Both vehicles caught fire following the collision.
"After the vehicles collided, there was a fire," Cameron said. "The driver of the pickup truck was ejected. Both vehicles were damaged by the fire. It appears the fire may have originated in the pickup truck."
Geyer, who was alone in his vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chandan Gavai, 38, the driver of the Nissan, and his parents, Kamalnayan Gavai, 74, and Archana Gavai, 60, were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
His wife, Manisha Surwade, 32, is in critical condition and their 11-month-old son, who was also hurt, is expected to survive.
Thirteen-year-old Mikyla Marshak lives across the street, and she said she could hear the people trapped inside.
"I felt bad because there were people in there, and you could hear a lady moaning," she said. "My dad went inside to get the fire extinguisher, and he came outside to try and put the fire out."
And while her father did that, she called 911.
"Me and my friend were both calling 911," she said. "They would answer, they would say our operators are all full."
Police say all 911 calls made for the incident were answered in less than a minute.
"Miraculously, when the officers responded, they heard a baby crying amidst all the carnage," Cameron said. "That baby escaped with what's described as minor injuries."
Both vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.