Bicyclist Qamat Shah, 14, hit, killed in car crash on Route 347 in Setauket, Suffolk police say
A 14-year-old bicyclist was hit and killed by a car on Route 347 at Wireless Road in Setauket around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Suffolk County police said. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
A 14-year-old boy was struck by a car and killed while riding his bicycle across Route 347 on Thursday evening in Setauket, Suffolk County police said.
Police said Qamat Shah, of Setauket, was crossing the busy roadway, also known as Nesconset Highway, at Wireless Road when he was struck by a 2015 Dodge Charger around 6:30 p.m.
Shah was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Neither the driver nor his female passenger were injured, police said. No charges have been filed.
On Friday, Three Village Central School District Superintendent Kevin Scanlon issued a statement to the district community.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share that earlier this morning the district was informed that R.C. Murphy Junior High School eighth grader Qamat Shah tragically passed away after an accident on an area roadway," Scanlon wrote. "We are extremely saddened to hear of this heartbreaking news and know that a sudden loss like this can have a profound effect on the entire school community."
Scanlon said the district "immediately" implemented its crisis intervention plan — and said grief counselors had been made available to students and staff at each district school.
"Any parent who has questions or concerns about how to navigate discussing this news with their child can contact the main office at their child's school for assistance," the statement read, adding support also was available through junior high school guidance offices and the high school counseling center.
The car was impounded for a safety check. Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the crash call Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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