Driver dies after vehicle rear-ended by box truck on Long Island Expressway

BRENTWOOD, LONG ISLAND – A driver died after his sport utility vehicle was involved in a collision on Long Island early Wednesday morning, according to News12 Long Island.

The accident happened along the eastbound Long Island Expressway near the Sagtikos State Parkway in Brentwood.  Police said 36-year-old Brandon Gillespie of Smithtown was driving a 2012 Jeep Liberty and was stopped in the right lane of the LIE at about 12:45 a.m.  The Jeep was struck from behind by a 2016 Ford box truck driven by 31-year-old Taron Smith, investigators said.

Gillespie was pronounced dead at the scene.  Smith, a resident of Patchogue, was not injured in the wreck.  He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and was also issued summonses for safety violations.

The eastbound LIE was shut down at Exit 53 for hours while police and emergency crews responded to the scene.  The two vehicles involved were impounded for safety checks.

Anyone with further information about the incident was asked to contact Suffolk County Police.

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