New York

2 Dead After Car Slams Into Long Island Gas Station, Bursts Into Flames

What to Know

  • A gas station manager tells NBC 4 New York that two people died after their car crashed into the station on Jericho Turnpike early Wednesday
  • The victims died at the scene; they were later identified as two men in their 20s from different parts of Long Island
  • It’s not clear what may have led the car to crash into the station, but there were dense fog advisories in the area at the time

Two people in their 20s died when their car smashed into a gas station on Long Island early Wednesday and burst into flames, authorities say. 

A long stretch of Jericho Turnpike by Veterans Memorial Parkway in Commack was shut down while officials investigated the 2 a.m. crash at the Sunoco. The victims died at the scene; they were later identified as 24-year-old Hector Sanchez Jr., of Brentwood, and 24-year-old Shawn Jenkins Jr., of Bay Shore.

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It’s not clear what may have led the car to crash into the 24-hour station, but there were dense fog advisories in the area at the time. Video shows that fog, two damaged pumps and the station’s canopy partially collapsed. Additional video from the scene shows a wrecked car with its engine smoking. 

It's not clear when the station would reopen for business. Police say the car was impounded for a safety check; the investigation is ongoing. 

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