Police: Passenger killed in Brentwood car crash

A Brentwood man riding as a passenger in a car Monday morning died when the vehicle crashed into a tree in Brentwood, Suffolk County police said.

Third Squad detectives are investigating the death of William Smith, 26, of 435 Locust St., who was killed when the 1997 Ford Taurus driven by Kenneth Espada, 24, also of Brentwood, veered across the roadway and hit a tree on the east side of Washington Avenue, north of Stuyvesant Street, police said.

The crash happened shortly before 10 a.m., police said.

Both men were taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where Smith was pronounced dead, police said.

Espada, of 80 Pine St., had injuries to his face and chest, police said.

The car was impounded for a safety check, and police said the investigation is continuing.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.