Riverhead Woman Second Victim To Die in Fatal DWI Crash

A 42-year-old Riverhead woman was the second person to die of injuries suffered when an alleged drunken driver crashed an SUV into the victims’ car last week, Suffolk County police said.

Lisa Hynds was a passenger in a Toyota Yaris that hit the median on Sunrise Highway in Sayville, then struck the right-lane guardrail before becoming disabled sideways in the center lane before a Jeep Liberty crashed into the car near exit 50 at 12:25 a.m. September 8, police said.

Hynds had gotten out of the car moments before the SUV struck the car, causing the disabled vehicle to hit the victim, police said. She was initially airlifted Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Yaris, 46-year-old Miguel Berdecia of Central Islip, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV, 37-year-old Daniel Lazzaro of Centereach, was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and charged with driving while intoxicated. His bail was set at $200,000 cash or $100,000 bond following his arraignment. He’s due back in court October 19.

Major Case Unit detectives ask anyone with information on the crash to call themat 631-852-6553.