Cops: Pregnant woman, 4-year-old son ejected in Roanoke Avenue crash

A 4-year-old boy and his pregnant mother were ejected from a taxi in a crash on Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead Tuesday evening, town police said.

The taxi driver was headed south on Roanoke Avenue with the mom and child seated in the rear at 5:23 p.m. when he attempted to make a left-hand turn into a driveway and was T-boned by a silver minivan heading north, according to police. First responders found the mother, later identified as 27-year-old Estela Ortiz-Casia, and her son lying in the street as they arrived.

All four people involved in the crash were taken to area hospitals by ambulance, though none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, police said.

Ms. Ortiz-Casia was driven by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital, while her son, who was not stable enough to be airlifted, was taken by RVAC to Peconic Bay Medical Center. The driver of the taxi, Zafar Mahmood, 59, of Riverhead was transported by RVAC to PBMC and the driver of the minivan, 51-year-old Thomas Jones of Riverhead, was taken by Flanders Volunteer Ambulance to Southampton Hospital, according to police.

Police said there is no evidence that alcohol was a factor in the crash and that the taxi was being operated with proper permits. Taxis are exempt from car seat laws in New York State and no criminal charges are expected to be filed. Witnesses are asked to call 631-727-4500 to report information about the crash.

Roanoke Avenue was closed between Southern Parkway and Pulaski Street during an accident reconstruction investigation Tuesday evening.