Skip to main content

Left-Hand Turns Went Badly

Thu, 06/12/2025 - 12:49

Negligent left turns were blamed for two recent vehicle collisions that resulted in injuries, and a negligent merge for a third.

Ruth Ellen Kelleher, 82, driving a GMC S.U.V., struck the front of a Honda sedan early on Saturday evening while making a left turn on Carl Fisher Plaza in Montauk, causing damage to the front driver’s sides of both vehicles, according to East Hampton Town police. The Honda was driven by Thomas M. Griffith of Mamaroneck, 18, who was waiting at a stop sign when his car was hit.

Neither Mr. Griffith nor his passengers, Michael Lebowitz, 18, and two 17-year-old females, were injured. Ms. Kelleher, who lives in Montauk, reported feeling pain in her forearm and was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for evaluation.

In Sag Harbor on June 3, a Vespa scooter collided with a car at the inter- section of Hampton Street and Jermain Avenue. Kobe Richard Kinney, 22, of Noyac, who was driving north in a Honda Odyssey, told village police he had not seen Barbara Colasuonno, a 64-year-old Sag Harbor resident, on her Vespa when he initiated a left turn onto Jermain Avenue.

Ms. Colasuonno stated that she saw the Honda’s turn signal activate before Mr. Kinney abruptly “cut her off,” causing her to collide with the front passenger side of the car and resulting in damage to the bumper and headlight. The police report said a witness who had been driving behind Mr. Kinney corroborated Ms. Colasuonno’s account.

Complaining of pain in her shoulder and legs, Ms. Colasuonno was transported by village emergency services personnel to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and her Vespa, which had sustained damage to its front wheel, wheel well, and handlebars, was taken to Corwith’s Auto Body in Water Mill. Mr. Kinney reported no injuries.

The following morning, on June 4, a Toyota S.U.V. sideswiped a Dodge pickup truck on Main Street in East Hampton as both vehicles approached Newtown Lane.

Jack Coltin Petscheitis of East Hampton, 20, told village police he entered the turning lane when the Toyota “merged” into the side of his truck from the right, causing damage to its front passenger side.

Narciso Rodriguez of Brentwood, 72, the driver of the S.U.V., was reportedly “semiconscious” and apparently experiencing a medical emergency when officers arrived at the scene, and he was taken by ambulance to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. The driver’s side of his car sustained damage in the impact, but neither vehicle required a tow.

Crash on Napeague Stretch

Toyotas were on a tear this week, with four accidents on local roads resulting in injuries.

Jul 24, 2025

Felony Charges in Three Arrests

East Hampton Town police made three late-night arrests last week, all of them ending in felony charges, from assault to forgery to drug possession.

Jul 24, 2025

Town Continues Dispatch Investments

East Hampton Town continues to make investments in its dispatch capabilities, with the town board most recently approving a $1.5 million bond issue for improvements to its dispatch center on July 3.

Jul 17, 2025

On the Police Logs 07.17.25

A man “with white hair and a blue jacket” took another patron’s phone during a movie at the Regal Cinema and said he would not return it. He later told police he’d taken the phone to “make a stand” because the owner was talking loudly on it during the movie.

Jul 17, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.