Man Arrested For DWAI After Plowing Into Road Paving Crew, Killing One and Seriously Injuring Two In Nesconset

NESCONSET, N.Y. — A Lake Ronkonkoma man was arrested for driving while ability impaired by drugs after police say he drove the wrong way through a red light, mounted a sidewalk and struck three construction workers in Nesconset Monday morning, killing one and seriously injuring two others.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Townline Road and Terry Road, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Police said 26-year-old Thomas Lobianco was driving a 1999 Toyota Camry eastbound in the westbound lane of Townline Road when he drove through a red light at Terry Road, continued onto the sidewalk and struck three construction workers who were preparing for a paving project.

After striking the workers, the Camry continued through the area and struck an electronic crossing sign, a utility pole and a fence before coming to a stop, police said.

The Smithtown Fire Department rushed to the scene alongside Suffolk County Police following the crash as emergency personnel responded to the injured workers.

All three workers were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital. Police identified the worker who was killed as a 38-year-old Mastic man, who was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The two surviving workers, a 30-year-old man from Bay Shore and a 33-year-old man from Brentwood, were admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police.

According to Rosemar Environmental Health and Safety Director Kevin DaPonte, the crew had not yet begun roadwork when the crash occurred. Workers were arriving at the site and preparing to begin their shift when the vehicle struck the three men as they were walking toward the work area.

DaPonte said the workers were on the sidewalk at the time they were struck.

Lobianco was taken into police custody and charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. He was being held at the Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 11, at First District Court in Central Islip.

Townline Road was closed in the area for several hours Monday as Suffolk County Police investigated the fatal crash. Debris and construction equipment could be seen scattered around the scene as detectives and crime scene investigators conducted their investigation.

Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating the crash and are asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 631-852-6553.