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Wrong-Way Driver Reported Missing In Connecticut Causes Crash Injuring Four, Police Say

An 82-year-old man who had been reported missing in Connecticut drove the wrong way on a Long Island roadway, causing a three-vehicle crash that injured four.

A man who drove the wrong way on a busy parkway caused a three-vehicle crash.

A man who drove the wrong way on a busy parkway caused a three-vehicle crash.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The crash occurred around 10:22 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, when Burgess E. Moore, 82, of New Britain, Connecticut, was driving a 2012 Subaru Legacy northbound in the southbound lanes on the Wantagh State Parkway near Farmingdale when he struck one vehicle head-on and a third vehicle was unable to avoid the original collision, said New York State Police Trooper Daniel Ahlgrim.

Moore, who has dementia, and was reported missing in Connecticut, was transported to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow with facial injuries and a broken hip and he is in critical condition, state police said. He was reported missing by New Britain police.

The two other drivers and a passenger in one of the cars had injuries that were not life-threatening, Ahlgrim said.

The second driver, Richard Hurwitz, 48 of Long Beach, was traveling southbound in a 2007 Toyota Rav 4 and was struck head-on by Moore’s vehicle. Hurwitz was also transported to Nassau University Medical Center for neck and back pain.

The third driver, Vincent Diaz, 20 of Levittown, was driving a 2003 Saturn Vue and struck the back of Hurwitz's vehicle after he had been hit head-on. Diaz and front passenger Dennis Riley, 21 of Levittown were both taken to Nassau University Medical Center with minor injuries.

The southbound lanes remained shut down between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road in Wantagh until about 2:30 a.m., according to the state Department of Transportation. 

Anyone with information witnessing the accident is asked to contact the New York State Police at 631-756-3300.

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