Bus crashes into building on Griffing Avenue, reportedly injuring multiple people

Shortly before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, a bus involved in an accident with another vehicle cracked a utility pole and crashed into a building on the corner of Griffing Ave. and Court Street, according to authorities.

The accident occurred when a Ford Escape struck a Suffolk County Transit Bus, causing the bus to strike a utility and crash into the brick building at 303 Griffing Ave., Riverhead police said in a statement.

Two ambulances from the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a Northwell Paramedic unit were first to arrive and treated six patients on the scene, later transporting five to Peconic Bay Medical Center for evaluation, according to a statement released by the ambulance corps.  

Police said the five injured included both drivers and three passengers on the bus, police said.

Connor Morrison, who works nearby, saw the lights in his workplace flicker and walked outside, where he saw the scene and took a photo.

“I went outside and saw the accident,” said Mr. Morrison, who said that the bus appeared to have gone right into the building. “It’s a really narrow street.”

Numerous first responder agencies were dispatched to the site. The Riverhead Police Dept. and Riverhead Fire Dept. responded, as well as the Riverhead Fire Marshall’s office, the volunteer ambulance corps, a Northwell Paramedic Unit and several other area ambulances officials said.

The incident remains under investigation and anyone that may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Dept. at 631-727-4500.