Taxi Driver Dies After LIRR Train Strikes Vehicle; 1 Injured: MTAPD

MANORVILLE, NY — A taxi driver died after his vehicle was struck by a Long Island Rail Road train on Tuesday afternoon, according to Metropolitan Transit Authority police.

According to MTA police, the crash took place at about 12:45 p.m. Daniel Seagren, 49, of Ronkonkoma, a taxi driver for East End Transportation, was driving northbound on Wading River Road in Manorville, MTA police said.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the taxi, with two occupants, drove around crossing gates in the down position with lights flashing and bells sounding, police said. The vehicle appeared to have stopped on the tracks ahead of an approaching eastbound Long Island Rail Road train #906 train, traveling from Ronkonkoma to Greenport, MTA police said.

The train struck the vehicle east of Yaphank Station, causing major damage to the vehicle, police said. Seagren was pronounced deceased at Peconic Bay Medical Center, MTA police said. The taxi's passenger was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious, but stable condition, MTA police said.

About 50 passengers were onboard the train, but there were no reported injuries on board; the train proceeded east to Riverhead with all passengers at about 2:15 p.m., MTA police said.