Police

Town Supervisor involved in single-car crash in Cutchogue

The accident scene Monday night. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)
The accident scene Monday night. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell walked away unharmed from a single-car crash in Cutchogue Monday night after his town-owned vehicle flipped on its side and skidded into a marsh, town police said.

Mr. Russell, 50, of Cutchogue, was driving alone and headed south on Skunk Lane near Haywaters Drive when his 2014 Ford Escape slid off the road, “rolled and came to a rest on the driver’s side” at around 9:30 p.m., according to a Southold Town police press release. It had been raining earlier that day.

Reached by telephone Tuesday morning, Mr. Russell said he was feeling OK. He said he was on his way home after picking up medicine for his son when the accident occurred.

Mr. Russell said this is the first time he has been at fault in an accident since he began driving a town-owned vehicle 10 years ago. He has been involved in three accidents in town-owned vehicles since 2012, records show.

Southold Town Police Lt. James Ginas said at the scene that he believes the day’s heavy rainfall kicked a lot of gravel onto the roadway, contributing to the accident. The police press release states Mr. Russell “reported sliding on wet leaves.” The accident occurred on a bend in the road, where the posted speed limit is just 20 mph.

A portion of Skunk Lane remained closed for about an hour after the crash.

Mr. Russell exited the vehicle on his own before the Cutchogue Fire Department arrived on the scene, police said. He was escorted home by a police officer, he said. The police report states that the damage to the SUV exceeded $1,000.

Lt.  Ginas said no alcohol was involved in the crash and no charges were filed.

A town highway crew was on the scene the next morning to remove debris from the site. Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said the crew was responding to a call from a Skunk Lane resident who asked that a tree damaged in the incident be removed. The resident confirmed the call.

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A Southold Town highway crew arrives at the site of the accident at 11 a.m. Tuesday. (Credit: Grant Parpan)
A Southold Town highway crew arrives at the site of the accident at 11 a.m. Tuesday. (Credit: Grant Parpan)