1 Man Dead In 7-Vehicle LI Crash, Another Charged With Felony DWI: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — One man died in a seven-vehicle crash in Riverhead Wednesday night — and another was charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, the crash took place at about 6:18 p.m. on County Road 105 and Riverside Drive. Christian Aroldo Mendoza-Baquiax, 38, of Riverhead, who was driving a 2010 Acura, collided with multiple vehicles prior to overturning, resulting in the seven-vehicle crash, police said.

A passenger in the 2010 Acura, Nelson Gudiel Reyes Muxin, 33, of Riverhead, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The Riverhead Town Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department, Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Manorville Community Ambulance responded to assess and treat the reported injured, police said.

Mendoza-Baquiax was transported via ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, placed under arrest, and charged with felony DWI, police said.

The Riverhead Police Department's detective division and the New York State Police Department's forensic investigation unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

County Road 105 was closed until the early morning hours between Riverside Drive and Route 24 in Flanders for the crash investigation, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing; anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential.