Truck slams into Locust Valley firehouse; driver hospitalized

A man was injured after he drove his pickup truck into the Locust Valley Fire Department's headquarters on Buckram Road on Wednesday night, authorities said.

The unidentified driver was pulled from the wreckage just after the crash about 6:35 p.m. by firefighters who had gathered at the department's firehouse for a meeting, said 1st Deputy Chief James Bonislawski, of the Locust Valley Fire Department.

The driver had to be pulled from the truck as it caught fire, Bonislawski said. The driver was taken to a hospital by an ambulance; his condition could not be immediately learned. 

No fire department personnel were injured, said Bonislawski, who estimated 10 people were in the building at the time.

"There was a meeting scheduled for 7:30, so there were some members down there who were early," he said.

Bonislawski said the man drove through the doorway area in the front of the building, striking a memorial monument and pushing it into a wall. The monument was lightly damaged, he said.

"I believe he was conscious, but they said he was somewhat unresponsive," Bonislawski said.

Nassau police could not immediately provide a report of the incident or say whether any charges were pending.

Seven fire companies assisted Locust Valley during the incident.

The Town of Oyster Bay's building department determined the structure was safe; the fire department is fully operational, authorities said.

The fire department’s insurance company and engineering firm are assessing the damage and costs associated with repairs, officials said.