An 85-year-old Hauppauge man died Friday morning after his truck left Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma and struck a tree, in a crash Suffolk County police believe was triggered by a medical emergency behind the wheel. John Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene near 299 Hawkins Avenue, where his 2003 Mitsubishi truck came to rest after veering off the roadway at 7:37 a.m.
Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating the single-vehicle crash, according to TBR News Media. Police said Anderson was driving northbound on Hawkins Avenue when he apparently suffered a medical emergency, causing the truck to leave the road and hit the tree in front of the Hawkins Avenue address. As DailyVoice also reported, investigators believe that medical episode caused Anderson to lose control of the vehicle.
Scene Response and Vehicle Impound
Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, per the outlet's report. His truck was subsequently impounded for a safety check, a standard step detectives take following a fatal crash to rule out any mechanical factors.
No additional details about the circumstances of the medical emergency have been released, and detectives have not said whether any other factors contributed to the crash. The investigation into the Friday morning incident remains active.
Police Seeking Information
Fourth Squad detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Those with details can contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.
