Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Long Island’s first measurable snowfall of the season turned deadly on December 14, 2025, as a powerful winter storm dumped up to 8 inches of snow across Nassau and Suffolk counties, triggering approximately 200 vehicle collisions and claiming two lives, according to Suffolk County Police.
The winter storm began late on December 13 as light flurries before intensifying overnight into December 14 as temperatures dropped below freezing, leaving untreated road surfaces icy and hazardous. The highest snow accumulations reached about 8 inches in eastern Suffolk County, while central Long Island recorded around 6 inches, according to reports.
The first fatality occurred early on December 14 when a 20-year-old man died after his vehicle left the road and struck a tree in Massapequa. About an hour later, a second deadly crash unfolded near Exit 13 on the Southern State Parkway when 35-year-old Deodat Ramotar crashed his Hyundai Sonata. Three passengers were riding in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the collision. Two of the passengers were transported to the hospital, while the third passenger died at the scene. New York State Police arrested Ramotar in connection with the fatal crash.
Major highways experienced multiple pileups as visibility fell and drivers lost control on slick pavement. The Southern State Parkway, Sunrise Highway, and the Long Island Expressway all saw numerous accidents throughout the storm as the dangerous conditions overwhelmed motorists unprepared for the season’s first significant snowfall.
Highway crews worked through the night to clear snow and restore safer driving conditions, though the effectiveness of salt treatments remained limited due to the freezing temperatures. Police urged residents to reduce speed, increase following distances, and avoid unnecessary travel until road surfaces could be fully cleared.
Location & Road Context
The accidents occurred across Long Island’s primary highway network, with the Southern State Parkway, Long Island Expressway, and Sunrise Highway bearing the brunt of the storm-related crashes. These three major arteries serve as critical transportation corridors for the region’s 2.8 million residents, connecting Nassau and Suffolk counties to New York City.
The fatal crash involving Ramotar occurred near Exit 13 of the Southern State Parkway, which serves the Massapequa and North Massapequa areas. The tree-strike fatality also happened in Massapequa, highlighting how the storm’s impact was felt across both residential areas and major highways.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
New York State Police arrested 35-year-old Deodat Ramotar following the Southern State Parkway crash that left one passenger dead and two others hospitalized. The specific charges against Ramotar were not detailed in initial reports, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision remains ongoing.
The death of the 20-year-old driver in the single-vehicle tree strike is also under investigation, with authorities working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the vehicle leaving the roadway in the hazardous conditions.