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Update: Tow truck driver killed in Route 25A accident in Shoreham

Suffolk County police are investigating a fatal crash in East Shoreham Saturday night that killed a tow truck driver who was struck by car as he was hooking up a disabled vehicle.

Gian Russo, 39, of East Moriches was dispatched to Route 25A, east of Defense Hill Road near the entrance to Shoreham-Wading River High School, to tow an unoccupied, disabled vehicle, police said. The tow truck was parked on the shoulder of the road, facing west, when a 2008 Ford Taurus struck the disabled vehicle and Mr. Russo at about 8:20 p.m., closing off traffic in both directions for hours.

A physician’s assistant from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office pronounced Mr. Russo dead at the scene, police said.

The driver of the Ford, Betty Lutz, 72, of Coram was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-852-8752. No charges were listed against the driver in a police press release.

Mr. Russo’s sister, Virgina, posted on Facebook that funeral arrangements will be through Sinnickson’s Funeral Home in Center Moriches this week.

It was the second fatal accident in Shoreham this week. A 25-year-old Rocky Point man was killed in an accident on North Country Road Tuesday, about two miles away from Saturday’s crash.

(Credit: Google maps)
(Credit: Google maps)