WRIV radio host and girlfriend ID’d as victims in Flanders crash
Local radio personality John Mackey was hospitalized with serious injuries and his girlfriend was left fighting for her life in the same hospital after a car wreck Saturday morning in Flanders.
Mr. Mackey, 55, and Lorraine McLoughlin, 62, both suffered “extensive” injuries when Mr. Mackey’s car collided into a stopped box truck on Flanders Road about 7:15 a.m., Southampton Town Police said. They were airlifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center where Mr. Mackey was in stable condition and Ms. McLoughlin was in critical condition, hospital officials said.
Mr. Mackey has been hosting a 2 to 6 p.m. music show on WRIV 1390 AM, based in downtown Riverhead, for about six or seven years, said station manager Bruce Tria.
He has had a history of medical problems that included a stroke he had suffered years back. Earlier this year he underwent surgery for a blood clot, Mr. Tria said. “He’s just a great guy and he’s come through a lot, so it’s just a shame to have something like this happen,” Mr. Tria said. “He’s a good-hearted soul.”
He said he suspected a medical condition may have caused the crash, pointing to Mr. Mackey’s prior experience of driving a cab.
“He knows how to drive,” Mr. Tria said.
Mr. Tria said he planned to visit his friend and loyal employee as soon as he could.
Police said Mr. Mackey was behind the wheel of a 2000 Chevrolet and heading south when it left the roadway and struck the rear of a 2008 International box truck parked on the shoulder near Glider Avenue about 7:15 a.m.
The truck driver, who was not in the vehicle at the time, had stopped at a local deli, police said.
Mr. Mackey and Ms. McLoughlin were pulled from the wreck with help from the Flanders Fire Department heavy rescue unit and the Flanders-North Hampton Ambulance, said police. Flanders Road was closed for about three hours.
