5 dead in crash; driver of stolen car arrested

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - A stolen sports car, an oil truck, and two other vehicles were involved in a devastating crash that claimed five lives on Long Island. The violent chain-reaction crash spread debris all over the road late Wednesday morning in the hamlet of Ridge.

Cops later arrested the driver of the stolen car for causing the crash, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Jamel Turner, 23, of Bellport, was driving a stolen 2018 Chevrolet Camaro eastbound on Route 25 when he crashed into a 2012 Mazda, police said. The Camaro then slammed into an oil truck traveling westbound and the Mazda crashed into a 1999 Infiniti traveling eastbound, police said.

The Mazda burst into flames and four people inside died, police said. Authorities have not yet released their names.

Lonidell Skinner, 19, of Bellport, was ejected from the stolen Camaro and died, police said.

The oil truck driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries while the driver of the Infiniti was unharmed, police said.

Authorities charged Turner, who suffered minor injuries, with criminal possession of stolen property, false personation, and an outstanding warrant. Police said more charges are coming.

Police insisted that officers were not pursuing the Camaro leading up to the crash and that no cops witnessed the initial crash, either.

Ridge is about 50 miles east of New York City.

With the Associated Press