Deer Park man killed in one-car Freeport crash

A Deer Park man died after the car he was driving crashed into a tree and a self-service laundry in Freeport on Sunday morning, Nassau police said.

Steven Sturm, 32, was driving north in a Dodge Neon on North Main Street when the car left the road, crossed into southbound lanes, hit a tree, overturned and crashed into the building at 431 N. Main St. about 8:25 a.m., said First Squad Det. Sgt. Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Sturm's family is still in shock over his loss. "We just can't believe it," said Sturm's father, Matthew Sturm of New Hyde Park. He said he is not sure where his son was going at the time of the accident.

Matthew Sturm said his son worked in medical sales for a Lake Ronkonkoma-based company and was looking forward to furthering his career and his relationship with his girlfriend.

"He was a kindhearted person," Sturm's father said. "He would stop what he was doing to help a friend. He loved people and he loved life."

Police said Sturm appeared to have been speeding and did not appear to be wearing a seat belt, Fitzpatrick said.

There were no other injuries.

Witnesses at the laundry business called police, and Sturm was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical examiner will conduct a further examination, Fitzpatrick said.

"Right now it's unknown what caused him to leave the road," Fitzpatrick said. The investigation is continuing.