West Babylon road where SUV went airborne into home is ‘a speedway,’ neighbors say

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A West Babylon couple is recovering after an SUV crashed into their Great East Neck Road home Sunday at around 12:30 a.m. Suffolk Police say 27-year-old Cristian Banega-Salmendares had been driving southbound on Great East Neck Road when he lost control of the car. He hit the concrete wall outside the nursing home next door before the 2023 Dodge SUV flipped into the air, crashing into a home. Banega-Salmendares and the couple were brought to Good Samaritan Hospital for minor injuries. Neighbors say speed has been an issue on Great East Neck Road. Hours later, officers said there was another accident, near the intersection of Raynor Street. A car flipped over, but no injuries were reported. According to detectives, the cause of the crash is under investigation. West Babylon Fire Chief Steven Kamalic told News 12 that the man inside the home at the time of the crash told first responders that he and his wife had been on the couch watching TV when it happened. Kamalic said he believes the driver had been going at an “excessive” speed due to the debris field. Wayne Mortak lives nearby and said Great East Neck Road “is nothing but a speedway.” Neighbor Jerry L. Sardelli told News 12 he’s had cars come onto his property multiple times. Another resident told News 12 she’s now considering reinforcing the front of her home. "