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Update: Babylon man identified as victim in fatal Flanders crash

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A 58-year-old Babylon man was killed in a multiple-car accident on Flanders Road Monday night after he sideswiped several cars before colliding with a pickup truck head-on, Southampton Town police said.

James Sager was driving west in a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck on Flanders Road near the USA gas station when he crashed into three vehicles at about 8:05 p.m., said police Det. Sgt. Lisa Costa.

Mr. Sager continued driving west on Flanders Road until his truck smashed into another pickup truck near Fireman’s Memorial Park, Sgt. Costa said. Mr. Sager, whose birthday was Tuesday, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police are still investigating the crash and are waiting for the medical examiner’s report before reaching any conclusions, but it appears Mr. Sager may have suffered a medical emergency, Sgt. Costa said. Witnesses to the crash said Mr. Sager was already driving in the opposite lane before the initial crashes occurred and he showed no sign of reacting to the collisions.

Two other people were injured in the series of wrecks, which stretched more than a quarter of a mile along Flanders Road.

Sandra Franco-Gomez, 27, of Hampton Bays was driving a White Impala when she was hit by Mr. Sager during the initial crashes, Sgt. Costa said. Ms. Franco-Gomez was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital and “appeared to be in bad shape due to trauma,” but was released from the hospital Tuesday after undergoing surgery for broken bones, Sgt. Costa added.

Another person, 24-year-old Randolfo Holen, was taken to Southampton Hospital by Flanders Northampton Ambulance volunteers for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, Sgt. Costa said. A passenger from his vehicle was also driven to the hospital by police to translate.

In addition to the fatal accident, drivers who were distracted by the crash caused more collisions soon after, Sgt. Costa said. A rubbernecking driver heading westbound past the scene caused a separate three-car crash minutes after the first crashes occurred, Sgt. Costa said. No serious injuries were reported.

Flanders Fire Department was also called to the scene to assist in rescue efforts and police closed the roadway between Pleasure Drive in Flanders and Bellows Pond Road in Hampton Bays while the crash was investigated Monday night.

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Photo credit: Paul Squire