Filmmaker Killed in Crash

A filmmaker whose documentary “The Uncondemned” is to be shown at the Hamptons International Film Festival was killed in a one-car crash early last Thursday morning. Nicholas J. Louvel, 34, was traveling north on Route 114 when his vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, left the road, and struck several trees.

Mr. Louvel, who lived in New York City and Wainscott, was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital. He had been airlifted there after firefighters extricated him from the car, which was found on its side on Route 114 near the Hansom Hills development.

A taxi driver called 911 just after 1 a.m. about a car that had hit a tree and rolled over south of Stephen Hand’s Path. Police and fire officials found a 2005 four-door Honda Accord on its side with Mr. Louvel pinned inside in the mangled wreckage.

“The driver appeared to be the sole occupant,” East Hampton Fire Department Chief Richard Osterberg Jr. said. The heavy rescue squad was called to extricate him.

The car was so badly damaged, Chief Osterberg said, that fire officials found its engine “50 feet away in the woods.” The only reason they knew where it had landed in the darkness was that it ignited a small brush fire in the woods. “There was stuff all over the place. It was like an explosion.”

Firefighters were able to free Mr. Louvel in 10 to 15 minutes, which was quick, given the extent to which he was trapped.

The East Hampton Village Ambulance Association treated him at the scene and transported him to meet a medevac helicopter at East Hampton Airport. Mr. Louvel was a film editor and producer, according to his Internet movie database page.

“The Uncondemned,” which he directed, is a documentary about the first time rape was prosecuted as a war crime. He also worked on “The Thomas Crown Affair.”

The Honda was impounded for a safety inspection. Detectives have asked anyone with information on the accident to contact police at 537-7575.