Hicksville man, son among victims
Five people, including a former aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo, and a 10-year-old Hicksville boy reportedly headed to Splish Splash in Calverton to celebrate his birthday, were among the victims of a violent motor vehicle accident, on Sunday, Aug. 21. It happened in Manorville near Exit 68 on the Long Island Expressway.
According to Suffolk Police Seventh Squad detectives, Carmelo Pinales of Hicksville was driving a gray Subaru Outback eastbound when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, which crossed over the grassy median, went airborne and struck a BMW and a Honda travelling westbound at approximately 9:35 a.m.
Pinales, 26, and his sister, Patricia Pinales, 27, of Westbury, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician’s assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Carmelo’s 10-year-old son, Christopher Pinales, also from Hicksville, was transported in critical condition to Stony Brook University Hospital via Suffolk County Police helicopter and later died of his injuries.
Also in the car were Winnifer Garcia, 21, of Hempstead, reportedly Patricia’s sister, and Patricia’s 3-year-old daughter, also of Westbury. They were transported to local hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, the driver of the 2014 Honda, was pronounced dead at the scene. His fiancée, Shelbi Thurau, 29, of Northport, was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Martella had recently become communications director for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. He had previously served as the governor’s Suffolk County representative.
Marvin Tenzer, 73, the driver of the 2016 BMW, and his three passengers, Sandra Tenzer, 69, Helen Adelson, and Isidore Adelson, 81, all of Westhampton, were transported to local hospitals, where Isidore later died. The others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, Governor Cuomo extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims and added, “I personally knew Scott Martella who was…a dedicated, beloved public servant who worked…to improve the lives of his fellow New Yorkers. Scott was always full of big ideas to help solve the toughest challenges of the day, and he was deeply respected for his strong work ethic, candor and fighting spirit.”
All three vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this crash can call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.
