Man Dies in Single-Car Accident in East Hampton
Update, 9:40 a.m.: Nicholas J. Louvel has been identified as the man who was killed in an accident on Thursday. East Hampton Town police said Mr. Louvel, a 34-year-old who lived in New York City and Wainscott, was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital.
Mr. Louvel was a film editor and producer, according to his IMDb page. He directed "The Uncondemned," a documentary about the first time rape was prosecuted as a war crime, which was to be featured the Hamptons International Film Festival next month. He also worked on "The Thomas Crown Affair."
Police said he was traveling north on Route 114 when his vehicle crossed over to the southbound lane, left the road, and struck sevearl trees at 1:06 a.m.
The Honda Accord he was driving has been impounded for a safety inspection. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the accident to contact police at 631-537-7575.
Originally, 8:43 a.m.: A man was killed in a one-car accident in East Hampton overnight.
East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo said the lone occupant died at Stony Brook University Hospital. He had been airlifted there after firefighters extricated him from the car, which had been found on its side on Route 114, near the Hansom Hills development. The man's name had not been released as of Thursday morning. Detectives are investigating.
A taxi driver called 911 about a car that had hit a tree and rolled over south of Stephen Hand's Path just after 1 a.m. Police and fire officials found a 2005 four-door Honda Accord on its side with the driver pinned inside.
"The driver appeared to be the sole occupant," East Hampton Fire Department Chief Richard Osterberg Jr. said. The heavy rescue squad was called to extricate the driver, who was stuck in the mangled wreckage.
The car was so badly damaged that fire officials "found the engine of the car 50 feet away in the woods," Chief Osterberg said. The only reason they knew where it had landed in the darkness was that it ignited a small brush fire in the woods, he said. "There was stuff all over the place. It was like an explosion."
Firefighters were able to free the driver in 10 to 15 minutes, which was quick, given the extent to which he was trapped inside.
The East Hampton Village Ambulance Association treated him at the scene and transported him to meet a medevac helicopter at East Hampton Airport. He was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Firefighters easily extinguished the brush fire with a water can. Fire police personnel helped close Route 114 to traffic as town police conducted the accident reconstruction portion of their investigation.
East Hampton Village police also assisted.