Multi-car crash closes Sunrise Highway

A multi-car accident shut down the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway at Dobson Avenue around 11 a.m. on Friday. Eight vehicles were involved in the accident; two were parked on the side of the road and were unoccupied.

Nassau County police were on the scene with the Merrick Fire Department. A Nassau County police helicopter was spotted landing between Dobson Avenue and Babylon Turnpike. A Nassau County Police release said that Alexandra Vargas Bradley, 41, of Masssapequa was driving eastbound on Sunrise Highway at Dobson Avenue when she hit a 1998 Dodge Suburban stopped in traffic. The dodge then struck the vehicle in front of it setting off a “chain reaction of four additional vehicles,” police said. Bradley’s car then struck two additional parked vehicles before coming to a rest.

The driver of the Dodge, a 68-year old male, was transported by Nassau County helicopter to Nassau University Medical Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. Three other people involved in the accident were transported to local hospitals and later released. North Bellmore Fire Department sent an ambulance to help with the aided.

The defendant was also transported to the hospital where she was found in possession of prescription butalbital, a drug prescribed for migraines or tension headaches. Vargas Bradley was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular assault, vehicular assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, driving while ability impaired, vehicular assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment and reckless driving. She will be arraigned at a later date.

Comments about this story? DKrasula@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.