By MIKE CAPUTO
On Aug. 26 at about 9:47 p.m., a 2004 Nissan Acura driving south on Merrick Avenue in East Meadow collided with a 2008 Audi at the intersection of Luddington Road, police said.
Syosset resident Nancy Adler, 55, who operated the Audi, was pronounced dead on the scene, while the three occupants of the Acura were immediately transported to Nassau University Medical Center with serious injuries, police said.
Detective Sgt. Anthony Repalone, a Nassau County police spokesman, said there was no indication of alcohol or drug involvement in the accident. However, a forensic investigation of the scene revealed skid marks and other evidence that the driver of the Acura may have been traveling over the posted speed limit, Repalone explained.
"It is indicative that speed was a factor," Repalone said. "Exactly how fast he was going has not been determined yet, but there certainly was significant damage so we believe he was certainly in excess of the speed limit posted."
The driver of the Acura was Syed Shah, 26, of Uniondale, who was listed by the hospital in stable condition.
The two passengers in the Acura were identified as Michael and Joseph Jaghab of North Merrick, who both attend school in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. As of Herald press time, Joseph, 13, remained in critical, but stable condition, while his brother Michael, 15, was released on Aug. 27, according to Shelley Lotenberg, a hospital spokeswoman.
No information was available on where the group's destination that evening and the brothers' relationship with the driver. A message left at a listed phone number for the Jaghab family was not returned.
Since there is no apparent evidence of criminality, no charges have been filed, but the investigation is continuing, police said.
Repalone noted that the 1st Precinct has received complaints about speeding at the intersection of Merrick Avenue and Luddington Road, where the speed limit is currently posted at 40 miles per hour. After last week's accident, the 1st Precinct installed a speed trailer to monitor speeds and to raise awareness of the posted limits, he said.
Police advise residents to report similar trouble spots that may require additional traffic enforcement.
"If anybody can give us specific locations anywhere - East Meadow or wherever it may be - contact the precinct and we will certainly look into it," Repalone said. "If we have to do additional enforcement, we certainly will."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
