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Sayville, NY (August 11, 2026) – A 17-year-old driver and his 20-year-old passenger were hospitalized early on Sunday morning, August 9, after their box truck left Sunrise Highway and struck the center median and a pole near Exit 50A in Sayville. It happened around 5:45 a.m., according to police.
The truck, a 2008 Isuzu box truck, was traveling westbound when it left the roadway, police said. Firefighters found the vehicle heavily damaged, with one occupant trapped inside the cab.
Crews used hydraulic rescue tools to free the trapped occupant. Both the driver and passenger were taken by ambulance to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Police also responded to assist at the scene. Fire operations were overseen by Fire Chief Ryan Quarte, officials said.
Sunrise Highway remained closed for a time while crews worked to remove the truck. We hope for a full recovery for both the driver and the passenger.
Why Do Box Trucks Handle Differently in an Emergency?
Box trucks and other commercial vehicles handle differently than passenger cars, especially when it comes to braking distance and how they respond to a sudden steering correction. A driver who drifts toward the shoulder or median may find it harder to bring a larger, top-heavy vehicle back into the lane smoothly compared with a sedan or SUV.
Early morning hours can be particularly challenging for commercial drivers, since fatigue is more common after an overnight shift or an early start to the workday. Reduced visibility before sunrise also means less time to react if a vehicle begins drifting out of its lane unexpectedly.
Extricating someone trapped in a heavily damaged cab takes specialized tools and training, since a commercial vehicle’s frame is built differently than a standard passenger car. Firefighters typically stabilize the vehicle first, then work carefully to create enough space to remove the person without causing further injury.
