Jaime Martin Santos, of Riverhead, and bicyclist Eryk McPherson die in separate crashes; at least 7 others hurt in crashes across Long Island

Two people were killed and at least seven others were injured in a series of crashes across Long Island over the weekend, police departments reported.

Jaime Martin Santos, 58, of Riverhead, was crossing Old Country Road from north to south near Northville Turnpike in Riverhead when he was struck by an eastbound taxi at about 11:42 p.m. Saturday, Riverhead Town Police said. Santos was transported by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance to nearby Peconic Bay Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A passenger in the taxi, Tawwana Brown, 49, of Riverhead, was also transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police. The driver of the cab, a 2015 Nissan Sentra owned by Riverhead Town Taxi, was not injured in the crash, which was investigated with the assistance of New York State Police and led to a portion of the road being closed for several hours.

No charges have been filed, police said. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Riverhead detectives at 631-727-4500.

On Sunday, a bicyclist riding west on Vanderbilt Avenue at Joshuas Path in Central Islip was struck by a 2012 Honda about 7:30 p.m. Eryk McPherson, 19, of Brentwood, was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where he died from his injuries Monday, police said.

The driver of the Honda, David Alfaro, 21, of Central Islip, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. He pleaded not guilty at First District Court in Central Islip Monday. His bail was set at $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond.

Pedestrians were also seriously injured in two other Suffolk crashes Saturday, county police said.

Hillary Day, 66, of Central Islip, was walking on the westbound shoulder of West Suffolk Avenue, west of Carleton Avenue, when she was struck by a westbound sedan that fled the scene about 9 p.m., police said. The vehicle is believed to be gold in color, police said.

Day was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of serious injuries, police said. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Third Squad detectives at 631-854-8352.

More than two hours earlier, at about 6:45 p.m., a 62-year-old Brentwood woman was struck while pushing a shopping cart across Motor Parkway in Brentwood, police said. Denise Healy was in the turning lane near Washington Avenue when she was struck by an eastbound 2018 Toyota Camry.

Healy was transported to South Shore University Hospital in serious condition, according to police. The driver of the Camry was not injured and no charges have been filed, police said. 

Earlier Sunday, a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a Hauppauge crash.

Peter Bueno, 33, of Brentwood, operating a 2016 Yamaha, collided with a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee as the Jeep was turning into a parking lot on Joshuas Path just after 3 p.m.

Bueno was transported to South Shore University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, police said. The Jeep's driver was not hurt. Suffolk police misidentified the motorcyclist in their initial reports.

In Nassau, a bicyclist was struck crossing Sunrise Highway in Bellmore shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, Nassau police said.

The bicyclist, identified only as a male, was crossing the busy thoroughfare from south to north near Rose Place when he was struck by a westbound motorcycle that caught fire, police said.

The operator of the motorcycle, also a male whose name was not released, was airlifted to a hospital with serious trauma and burns, police said. He was listed in critical condition Sunday. The bicyclist also suffered traumatic injuries, but was in stable condition at a hospital, according to a news release.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, police said.

Early Sunday, a male pedestrian, 48, was struck by a vehicle in Elmont as he was crossing Hempstead Turnpike at Elmont Road at 4:40 a.m. The driver of the car, described only as a sedan, left the scene, heading west on Hempstead Turnpike, police said.

The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to a hospital where he was in critical condition, police said.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call 800-244-8477 or 911.

With John Asbury

By Grant Parpan

grant.parpan@newsday.com@GrantParpan

Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.