A regular Wednesday afternoon drive turned deadly on Long Island when a two-vehicle crash took the life of a Middle Island man. The wreck happened around 1:30 p.m. on September 9, 2026, along Rocky Point-Yaphank Road. Police say 44-year-old David Maiman was behind the wheel of a 2020 Lexus heading north when his car drifted across the yellow line into oncoming traffic.
The Lexus drifted straight into the southbound lane, colliding directly with the front driver’s side of an oncoming 2020 Jeep. The impact smashed both vehicles and left metal scattered across the asphalt. Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after witness calls came in to local dispatchers.
First responders worked quickly to pull Maiman from the heavy damage of his vehicle. Medics transported him directly to Stony Brook University Hospital. Despite emergency room efforts to save his life, doctors pronounced Maiman dead shortly after arrival.
The driver of the Jeep was identified as 45-year-old Ferdi Reyes Garcia from Port Jefferson. Emergency workers brought Garcia to Stony Brook University Hospital as well. Doctors treated him for minor injuries, and he is expected to recover from the physical damage.
For Maiman’s family and friends back in Middle Island, the sudden loss has turned an ordinary weekday into an overwhelming tragedy. A routine trip along a familiar local roadway ended in a split second, leaving relatives searching for answers about what caused his sedan to cross over the line.
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are leading the ongoing investigation into the crash. Both the 2020 Lexus and the 2020 Jeep have been impounded by police to undergo thorough mechanical and safety inspections. Investigators are looking at all possible factors, including mechanical failure or a medical event behind the wheel.
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or noticed the northbound Lexus prior to the collision to step forward. Members of the public with any information can reach the Seventh Squad directly at 631-852-8752 as the investigation continues.
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