Victim in fatal crash identified as Greenport man
Driver was struck by a county bus 14 comments below
A 21-year-old Greenport man was killed Tuesday morning after his car was broadsided by a Suffolk Transit bus that was headed north on Route 51 in Northampton.
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.
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14 comments found
no to traffic light.. : 3/30/2010
best solution... to avoid having accidents or drivers driving through a red light... would be this.. for drivers wanting to go to the college from that side road...put a entrance ramp that would go over the north bound traffic... eliminating any potential crashes....
mike brown's sister : 2/25/2010
thank you all for youe kind words, mike is my little brother. i miss him so dearly it's hard to breath at times. but i know he's here with me telling me to push on. so thats what i would like to give to you, when the days feel to long take it moment by moment. God bless you and thank you for loving mike. if there was any witness to the accident please email me at brownkarre@yahoo.com
dangerous : 2/6/2010
Condolences to the family...a 22 year old was just killed a week earlier near my work place...killed in a Ford Focus. Sure they are good on gas and the environment...but can't hold up in an accident, surely not a bus. Very, very sad, my heart goes out to the family.
crash : 2/3/2010
My condolences to the Brown Family.
This intersection doesn't really need a light. Not enough traffic to warrant it. There is a very clear view both North and South. It needs more careful drivers looking both ways before jumping out into traffic cruising at 88 feet per second (60 mph). Perhaps a flashing red light to provide more warning to the intersection and its' need to STOP
love you : 2/3/2010
I love you so much Mike I miss you terribly i wish i had the chance to say goodbye i miss that smile so much youll never know, we will meet again my angel..Rest well -reannda
my idol : 2/3/2010
mike is someone that did not deserve to be to taken away this soon! i know this could have been prevented! how many people have to die on that route for something to change? i love you mike we will see each other again one day..
: 2/3/2010
REST IN PEACE MIKE BROWN I NEVER MET SOMEONE SO STRONG LIKE YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES. WE LOVE YOU!
R.I.P
Light : 2/2/2010
Yes, it's time to put a light at this intersection. There were many other deaths at this spot.
Rest in peace... : 2/2/2010
My condolences to the Brown Family.
Way too young : 2/2/2010
Two signifigant tragedies in this town within a week. Both way too young to pass on with lives barely attempted. Rest in Peace Michael. May you continue to bring a smile to the faces of all as you have become an angel of God, just as you were on Earth. <3
Michael Brown : 2/2/2010
why do the good die young?
REst eazy mike
:-/ : 2/2/2010
REST EAZY BiG MiKE !!!!
our newest angel : 2/2/2010
Greenport has its own angel looking out for us now. Mike, we will miss your smile.
Light : 2/2/2010
I travel that route to work and people ether run the stop sign in front of me or stop and then pull out when I'm 20 feet from them! Now maybe they put a light there.
