Police

Cops: Driver escapes injury after car catches fire off LIE

An elderly man escaped injury Friday afternoon after losing control of his vehicle and striking a pole on the eastbound Long Island Expressway exit ramp toward Route 58 in Riverhead.

The vehicle careened into nearby trees and caught fire, as did some of the grass, according to Riverhead Town police. The Riverhead Fire Department responded to extinguish the flames.

The driver was transferred to Peconic Bay Medical Center for observation, but he did not appear to suffer any serious injury, police said. No charges were expected.

The accident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. and the scene was cleared about 35 minutes later.

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Top photo caption: A video screenshot of the vehicle on fire. 

The pole knocked over after the accident. (Credit: Kelly Zegers)