Police say Michael Brown was driving a 2000 Ford Focus south on Route 63 near Wildwood Lake Bowl about 7:40 a.m. when he entered the intersection with Route 51 and was struck by the bus, which was being driven by John Bravata, 56, of Ronkonkoma. Mr. Brown died at the scene.
Scott Loper of Mattituck, who was on his way to class at Suffolk County Community College, was several cars behind Mr. Brown, waiting to merge with Route 51's southbound lanes when the crash happened.
Mr. Loper said Mr. Brown had attempted to make a right onto Route 51 when the bus, which he estimated was traveling at least 50 mph, hit him.
Mr. Loper said that the cars in front of him stopped and a few people began dialing 911. “People were just sitting at the stop sign because they didn't know what to do,” he said.
There were 15 people on the bus including the driver, none of whom were seriously injured. The passengers were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in E. Patchogue.
The bus was impounded for inspection by Suffolk County Police and the New York State Department of Transportation. The Ford was impounded by Southampton Town Police for further investigation.
Route 51 was closed for about four hours during the investigation.
No charges have been filed.