Lynbrook native hurt in car crash

A serious car accident has left 19-year-old Jordan Zides, a Lynbrook High School 2010 graduate, now in “fair” condition at Albany Medical Center, after the jeep he was traveling in hit another vehicle on an upstate New York highway on July 25.

According to the Warren County Sheriff’s office, Jordan was traveling north-bound with 20-year-olds driver Shelby Jackowitz and Samantha Weiss on U.S. route 9, near Camp Echo Lake in Warrensburg, NY, where the three out-of-towners are summer counselors. At 12:25 p.m., their 2011 Jeep Patriot hit a 2003 GMC dump truck, approximately one mile and a half south of U.S. route 28. Michael Moss, 50, was driving the truck, and all four were injured. Weiss suffered less serious injuries than Jackowitz and Jordan, who were rushed to Glen Falls Hospital, before moving to the Albany center, said Undersheriff Robert Swan.

Jordan, who is a student at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, suffered severe injuries and multiple trauma in several parts of his body, including his brain. He was unconscious, slipping into a coma, and in critical condition immediately following the crash. Warren County police are investigating, and awaiting toxicology reports from the accident. At this time, they are not sure whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, police said.

As of Aug. 5, Jordan is stable, and his vital signs are within normal limits, according to Beth Engler, a hospital spokesperson. He is listed in “fair” condition, meaning he is conscious, but maybe uncomfortable, with his indicators — blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration — looking favorable.

His family has posted updates of his condition online, at www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordanzides. On August 6, Jordan had started to keep his eyes open at times, and almost showed some recognition, including squeezing their hands, and giving thumbs up to questions, the family stated in their latest post on Aug. 7. “We’d like to thank everyone for your support, love and thoughts for Jordan as the days go on,” said his father, Bruce and sister, Carly.