21-year-old man dies after driving into Long Island Sound in Riverhead

A 21-year-old man died after driving his vehicle into Long Island Sound at the end of Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead Wednesday night, Riverhead Police said.

Around 7:23 p.m., witnesses reported that the vehicle drove down the beach access ramp at a high rate of speed, continued across the beach and entered the water, police said. The vehicle became submerged in the water about 100 feet offshore with the driver still inside.

Two civilians who witnessed the accident entered the water and attempted to get the driver out. The man was unresponsive and not breathing when police, fire and EMS personnel were able to bring him ashore, according to a press release.

Resuscitation efforts were started and he was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:09 p.m., police said.

At this time the driver will only be identified as a 21-year-old male pending the notification of his next of kin, police said.

The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation.