Nassau NY
8-07-2023 11:37pm

Dad and 2 kids die in crash on way to celebrate new job with ice cream on Long Island, say police.

In EAST MASSAPEQUA, Long Island (PIX11), a father, his 10-year-old daughter, and 13-year-old son tragically lost their lives as they were heading out for ice cream. Their vehicle was struck by a speeding SUV, resulting in the devastating accident, as reported by the police.

According to authorities, two additional children who had been in the vehicle were now in critical condition, battling for their lives. This marked one of two fatal accidents in Nassau County within an eight-hour span on Sunday night into Monday morning. In both incidents, children were tragically involved as victims. The initial crash occurred around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday in East Massapequa, taking place as part of a four-car chain-reaction collision that deeply affected even the most experienced officers and investigators.

Nassau County Homicide Squad Commanding Officer, Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick, described it as "perhaps one of the most horrifying scenes we've encountered in our careers," during a news conference on Monday afternoon.

According to the authorities, an incident occurred where a Hyundai Kona SUV, traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway, collided with a Hyundai Santa Fe. The collision occurred in front of a strip mall close to Old Sunrise Highway. Behind the wheel of the Santa Fe was Patrick Huntley, aged 60, who was in the process of taking his family out to enjoy ice cream.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder provided additional information.

The family was celebrating "because the father had recently secured a new job," Ryder explained.

"[Huntley] bid farewell to his daughter and son," the commissioner shared, as he tragically lost his own life as well.

The other two individuals from the vehicle were recognized as Hannah Huntley, aged 13, and Jeremiah Huntley, aged 10.

The 32-year-old individual behind the wheel of the Hyundai Kona, which collided with them, has not been disclosed by the police yet. Nevertheless, it was mentioned that the driver, who suffered ankle fractures, also caused harm to other individuals involved in the accident.

The speed of the collision was so severe that it led the Huntley family's vehicle to collide with a Chevy Malibu sedan ahead of it, as reported by investigators. The resulting chain reaction impact also caused injuries to the sedan's driver, an 83-year-old man. Additionally, the initial collision's force was so strong that the Kona overturned onto another vehicle in the adjacent turning lane.

In total, five individuals sustained injuries at the scene, which included two more children present in the Huntley family's SUV. These children are the six-year-old granddaughter of victim Patrice Huntley and an 18-year-old. Both of them are in an extremely critical condition.

"You're ending families," stated Nassau County Homicide Squad Commanding Officer Stephen Fitzpatrick, as he voiced his criticism towards the driver responsible for the devastating accident involving the Huntley Family. He also directed his critique towards the driver accused of causing the death of another child in a separate crash that occurred overnight.

Around 2:30 a.m. on Hempstead Turnpike, near Broad Street, a tragic incident occurred. Authorities reported that a man, driving under the influence, crashed into a Hyundai Elantra sedan at a high speed. Adjacent to the sedan, a mother and her six-year-old daughter were examining discarded carpet samples by the roadside.

Detectives identified the responsible driver as Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez of Freeport. His blood alcohol level was recorded at twice the legal limit, according to reports.

The young girl who tragically lost her life is Katerine Vanegas-Hernandez, aged 6.

Regarding the initial crash in East Massapequa, the police have not yet disclosed the driver's identity. Due to the evident high speed, the driver is expected to face charges related to speeding. However, further charges are anticipated as the investigation into the accident unfolds.

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