News

Update: Injured raceway employee out of intensive care

A Riverhead Raceway employee was hit by a car at the track Saturday night and suffered two broken legs and a dislocated shoulder, according to the raceway.

Mike Cappiello, 62, the track’s co-chief steward, who helps run the races, was on the track’s infield during preliminary laps of the Modified race when a car driven by Steve Booker spun out of control and struck him.

Mr. Booker’s car either had a carburetor issue or a stuck throttle during the hot laps, which snapped his car into the infield, where he struck Mr. Cappiello, according to a raceway press release.

Mr. Cappiello was first taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and later transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital, according to the report.

Mr. Cappiello’s lower left leg suffered a compound
fracture, requiring surgery early Sunday morning. He also suffered a
broken right leg, dislocated shoulder and a broken rib. according to the raceway.

After a short
stint in ICU, he was transported to a regular room Monday morning, according to the raceway. He is expected to undergo a second surgery to repair some muscle damage in his
left leg.

[email protected]