Julio Borges, 32, of Bellport, was killed Friday evening when his car left the Long Island Expressway and smashed into the woods near Exit 69 in Manorville, according to Suffolk County police. The single-vehicle crash sent his 2007 Volkswagen off the westbound side of I-495, and emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene. Detectives impounded the vehicle and say an active investigation is underway.
According to Patch, the crash unfolded in the westbound lanes near Exit 69 at about 5:41 p.m., and detectives from the Shirley-based Seventh Squad are handling the case. The vehicle was taken in for a safety check, Patch reports, and authorities say no other cars were involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.
Suffolk County police told local outlets that Borges lost control of the vehicle and “veered off into the woods” after leaving the roadway, News 12 reported. A physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner pronounced him dead at the scene, the outlet said. Early reports offered few details about Borges' life as detectives continued their work.
Crash Adds to Long Island's Traffic Toll
The wreck is the latest fatal crash to hit Long Island this year. As reported by Newsday, a regional tracker shows at least 40 people have been killed in traffic crashes on Long Island so far in 2026. Community groups and traffic-safety advocates point to run-off-road incidents, speeding and impaired driving as stubborn hazards along stretches of the LIE. Suffolk police say investigators will look at the condition of the vehicle, roadway markings and any available video or witness statements to determine what contributed to the Manorville crash.
Why Single-Vehicle Crashes Matter
Federal crash data highlight how often deadly wrecks involve just one vehicle. NHTSA's overview of motor-vehicle crashes notes that run-off-road and single-vehicle collisions remain a significant share of traffic injuries and fatalities, with speeding, impairment and seat belt use among the leading behavioral factors. That national backdrop helps explain why detectives are scrutinizing the car, the roadway and any available video as they work to piece together exactly what happened in the woods off Exit 69.
