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Two killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

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Two people were killed in an accident on the Wantagh Parkway in East Meadow on June 14 that involved multiple vehicles.

New York State Police report that at 11 p.m., a Nissan Murano begin operated by 33-year-old Reina Olivera, of West Babylon, was traveling in the left lane, southbound between Hempstead Turnpike and the Southern State Parkway, when it rear-ended a Honda CRV. That vehicle was being driving by 50-year-old Ana Ramirez, of Lindenhurst.

Both vehicles stopped in the left lane, and the drivers and passengers got out to exchange information.

That’s when, police say, a Toyota Corolla, being driving by 42-year-old Michael Martino, of Wantagh, came upon the vehicles. As he began to slow down for the accident, his car was struck by a Honda Accord operated by 20-year-old Marbin Velasquez, of Baldwin.

Velasquez’s vehicle then struck the occupants of the initial accident. Nicholas Ramirez, 61, of Lindenhurst, a passenger in the Honda CRV, was thrown into the northbound lanes and struck by a Jeep Wrangler. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Olivera was taken to Nassau University Medical Center and was pronounced dead a short time later. A 3-year-old she was holding was taken to the hospital and was listed in critical condition, while the driver of the Jeep was treated at NUMC for facial lacerations.

No criminal charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.