Three-year-old girl dies after car accident

A man driving a 2005 Toyota Camry crashed into a tree at Ocean Avenue and Ruth Place in Lynbrook at about 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 7, injuring himself and his 3-year-old twins, a boy and a girl who were in car seats in the back seat of the vehicle. The girl died three days after the accident, according to police officials.

“We think he fell asleep at the wheel,” Lynbrook Police Lt. Gary Knacke said of the driver, who was identified as Gary Dimenstein of Oceanside. His daughter’s name was Alexandra. The boy’s name was not released.

Witnesses at the scene said that the car left the road for no apparent reason, and that the man did not remember what happened, police said.

Second Deputy Chief Anthony DeCarlo, along with the Emergency Medical Company and the Lynbrook Fire Department’s Extrication Team, responded to the scene, according to department spokesman Steve Grogan. Before they arrived, two passersby, one a pediatric nurse and the other a New York City paramedic, performed CPR on Alexandra, who had no pulse. Grogan said that she had been partially strapped into her child seat.

When the Medical Company arrived, she was still not breathing and in full cardiac arrest, according to Grogan, and Capt. Tracey LaBarbera took over CPR, and was assisted by AEMT Lynn Curtis and firefighter James Tucker. The two good Samaritans left without identifying themselves.

Alexandra’s twin brother suffered a fractured arm, and their father was bleeding profusely from the face, Grogan said.

As the paramedics continued their efforts to revive the little girl, her heart began to beat again. All three victims were taken to the trauma unit at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, but Alexandra eventually succumbed to her injuries. Her father and brother were listed in stable condition as the Herald went to press.

“I would like to acknowledge the quick action by the good Samaritans, but also the great efforts of the Emergency Medical Company paramedics who brought the child back to life,” said Fire Chief Raymond Burke. “We extend our prayers and condolences to the family for the loss of their little girl.”

Nassau County Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

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