Cab driver dead, passenger hurt after train hits taxi at LIRR grade crossing in Manorville

A taxi driver died and a passenger remained in serious but stable condition after a Long Island Rail Road train struck the cab at a grade crossing in Manorville on Tuesday, MTA police said.

According to Metropolitan Transportation Authority police, Daniel Seagren, 49, of Ronkonkoma, was driving an East End Transportation taxi north on Wading River Road in Manorville between 12:30 and 12:45 p.m. Following a preliminary investigation, police said Seagren drove the taxi around the crossing gates while they were in the down position with lights flashing and bells sounding. Via email, a spokesperson for the MTA police said the taxi "appeared to have stopped on the tracks" and was subsequently struck by the 12:03 p.m. eastbound LIRR train destined for Greenport.

Seagren and the taxi's passenger, who MTA police did not immediately identify, were inside the vehicle, which authorities said sustained major damage.

Seagren was taken by ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was pronounced dead Tuesday evening, the MTA said.

The taxi's passenger, who Second Assistant Manorville Fire Chief Chris Steel said was in the back seat after he arrived on the scene Tuesday afternoon, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. MTA police said he was in serious but stable condition.

On Wednesday morning, the Ronkonkoma Branch of the LIRR was on or close to normal schedule. Earlier, the branch had been suspended and bus service was substituted, the LIRR said.

Steel said he and other first responders arrived on the scene just after 12:30 p.m. He said he spoke to the train's conductor, who confirmed the 46 people on board had not sustained any injuries. The chief said a heavy rescue crew cut the roof and doors off the vehicle to extricate its occupants. EMTs then tended to the driver and passenger.

Just after 2:40 p.m., an LIRR spokeswoman said the train involved in the crash "proceeded east to Riverhead with passengers at approximately 2:15 p.m. The train terminated at Riverhead, and any passengers looking for service to Greenport were accommodated by substitute bus service."

Shortly after the crash, several dozen MTA police officers were at the scene while MTA workers examined equipment at the crossing. The investigation is ongoing, the MTA said.