Crime & Safety

Man Helps Officers Save Holbrook Woman from Burning Car

Woman trapped inside of burning car in multi-car crash by Smith Haven Mall Thursday night pulled to safety.

A Holbrook woman, trapped in a burning car after a multi-car crash Thursday evening in front of the Smith Haven Mall, was pulled to safety by a Good Samaritan and two police officers.

Suffolk County fourth precinct officers David Vlacich and Bryan Bourdeaux responded to a 911 call at 5:45 p.m. regarding the crash, which happened on Middle Country Rd. and New Moriches Rd. in Lake Grove. When they arrived they saw that one of the cars in the three-car crash was on fire and a woman was trapped inside.

According to police, the two officers with help from David Ayala, 37, of Centereach managed to open the car, a blue Ford Focus, and pull the woman, who was unconscious, to safety. The woman, Stephanie McNamee, 23 of Holbrook, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital and was treated for serious injuries, according to police.

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The driver of a Jeep Liberty, Emily Clancy, 63, of Farmingville, was also sent to the hospital where she was treated for minor injuries. Another driver, Amy Freilich, 23, of Farmingville, was not hurt.

The evening crash shut down a roughly one-mile stretch of Route 25/Middle Country between Moriches Road, a main entrance into Smith Haven Mall and severely backed up Middle Country Road in the areas surrounding Smith Haven Mall, sending evening traffic onto side streets and local roadways Thursday night.

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Police said the three cars were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing.


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