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Man Dies After Crash in Montauk Sunday

The accident that led to Dennis O'Grady's death occurred near the intersection of Star Island Road and West Lake Drive in Montauk.
The accident that led to Dennis O'Grady's death occurred near the intersection of Star Island Road and West Lake Drive in Montauk.
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By
Taylor K. Vecsey

Update, Nov. 2 (as it appeared in print): A Montauk man died following a one-car accident on Star Island Road in that hamlet on Sunday afternoon, according to East Hampton Town police.

Detectives are investigating what caused Dennis O’Grady to crash the 2005 Mercedes-Benz he was driving near the Montauk Yacht Club at around 1 p.m., Detective Sgt. Daniel Toia said. The station wagon veered off the road and hit a fire hydrant and then a tree.

Mr. O’Grady, who was 50, lived on a boat at the Montauk Yacht Club, where he also repaired boats, according to friends. He was the only person in the car at the time of the accident, and no other vehicles were involved.

The Montauk Fire Department’s heavy rescue squad extricated Mr. O’Grady through the back of the station wagon in less than 10 minutes, Chief Vincent Franzone said. He was taken to Southampton Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Mr. O’Grady was alert and conscious at the scene, but took a turn for the worse en route to the hospital, Detective Toia said, adding that he likely had internal injuries.

A passer-by called 911 shortly after the accident. Detective Toia would not comment on whether drugs or alcohol were involved until results from a toxicology report are returned. As of press time, the cause of the accident had not been determined.

The Mercedes-Benz was impounded for a safety check, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information has been asked to call the Police Department at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.

Mr. O’Grady was a yacht captain and diesel marine engineer who had lived in Montauk for 25 years. He grew up in Northport, and a funeral service will be held at the Nolan and Taylor-Howe Funeral Home there tomorrow from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Words of remembrance will be said at about 8 p.m.

Originally, Oct. 27, 8 p.m.: A Montauk man died following a one-car accident on Star Island Road Sunday afternoon, East Hampton Town police said.

East Hampton Town police detectives are investigating what caused Dennis O'Grady to crash the 2005 Mercedes Benz he was driving near the intersection of Star Island Road and West Lake Drive around 1 p.m. The station wagon veered off the road and hit a fire hydrant and then a tree.

Mr. O'Grady was 50 years old. He was the only one in the car. No other vehicles were involved.

The Montauk Fire Department's heavy rescue squad extricated the driver from the Mercedes through the back of the station wagon in less than 10 minutes, according to Chief Vincent Franzone. He was taken to Southampton Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. 

The Mercedes-Benz was impounded for safety checks. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information has been asked to call the Police Department at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential. 

 

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