Truck hits Valley Stream medical building

A tractor trailer crashed into the Long Island Cardiology Associates building on Franklin Avenue early Friday morning. According to Valley Stream Fire Chief Joseph Fernandez, the driver of the truck suffered a medical emergency, lost control and hit the side the of the building.

The truck hit just the right spot, Fernandez said, where it damaged the gas, electric and water service to the building. Valley Stream firefighters had to deal with a gas leak as well as a possible radiation leak because the nuclear medicine room was on the other side of the damaged wall. "We had small readings of radioactive material," Fernandez said, adding that they had to bring in the Nassau County Hazmat team.

National Grid was called in to turn off the gas.

The accident occurred at about 6 a.m. The truck was traveling northbound. Fernandez said the building, located at 300 Franklin Ave. near the intersection of Wheeler Avenue, suffered some structural damage but can be repaired. He said the truck barely missed striking the adjacent beverage store before hitting the cardiology building.

The driver of the truck was taken to nearby Franklin Hospital. No other injuries were reported. Police and fire officials remained on the scene for several hours.The truck was towed away.