Melville, NY - November 26, 2018 - Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a multi-vehicle crash that killed a man on the Long Island Expressway in Melville on Saturday, November 24.
Madhava Reddy was driving a 2018 Mercedes Benz in the middle lane of the eastbound Long Island Expressway near exit 49, when he was struck from behind by a 2016 Nissan driven by Eric Preto. His wife Gabriella Preto and their 2-year-old son were also in the vehicle.
Preto left his vehicle to check the damage on his car and to speak to Reddy. As Preto was walking back to his vehicle, he was struck by a 2015 Subaru being driven by Jennifer Massaro. A 2017 Nissan being driven by Stephen Raia then struck Preto’s car.
Preto, 31, of Selden was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Reddy, 58, of Dix Hills; Massaro, 38, of Smithtown; and Gabriella Preto, 29, of Selden, and her child were all transported to local hospitals for evaluation. Stephen Raia, 24, of Commack was evaluated at the scene.
All four vehicles were impounded for a safety check.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.