NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The driver who slammed his Nissan Maxima head-on on a Long Island highway in late July — killing five people and critically injuring another — was driving at top speeds near 106 mph seconds before the deadly accident, according to a new report released Friday.
The Quogue Village Police Department released new details after investigators recovered the black boxes from both vehicles involved in the July 24 collision on Montauk Highway.
Investigators said the Toyota Prius, driven by an Uber driver with four passengers was driving with a top speed of nearly 38 mph, before braking for impact. Police said the Maxima showed no signs of braking.
Justin Mendez, 22, the Nissan driver, and the Uber driver Farhan Zahid, 32, and passengers James Farrell, 25, his brother Michael Farrell, 20, and Ryan Kiess died.
The final Uber passenger Brianna Maglio, 22, was critically injured.
ABC 7 reports Village Police Chief Christopher Isola said a Quogue officer traveling eastbound witnessed Mendez's gain speed in westbound lanes and turned around to pull him over but they were not unable to reach him before the crash.
Police included a witness who said they saw the car traveling so fast that it took their "breath away."
"I saw a red car near the old VFW in Quogue on Montauk Highway," they said. "I did not realize after my headlights had illuminated the vehicle that the red car had no lights on and was completely blacked out. When this vehicle passed me, it appeared as the vehicle was traveling at over 100 miles per hour, which sounded like a race car, taking my breath away. Next, I saw a police car with emergency lights on around 100 yards or 10-15 seconds behind the red car, with the police car not making any headway of closing the distance between them."
Attorney General Letitia James' office found there was no cause to file charges against the officer who attempted to stop Mendez's car.
Authorities said the collision is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities at 631-653-4791.
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