MANHASSET, N.Y. — A devastating early morning crash claimed one life Thursday when a vehicle slammed into the historic Quaker Meeting House in Manhasset and erupted in flames, severely damaging the centuries-old structure.
According to Nassau County authorities, the crash occurred around 5:40 a.m. when a car barreled through the intersection of Shelter Rock Road and Northern Boulevard at high speed, veered off the roadway, and plowed into the building before catching fire. First responders rushed to the scene, but the driver was pronounced dead.
Police confirmed that the car was registered to a 41-year-old man from New Rochelle, though it remains unclear whether he was behind the wheel at the time of the crash. The victim’s identity has not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.
The Quaker Meeting House, which dates back over 300 years, is a cherished historical landmark in Nassau County and continues to host Sunday worship services. The crash caused visible damage to the building’s foundation, raising concerns about the long-term structural integrity of the site.
Authorities are still working to determine how the vehicle ended up so far off the road. Investigators are exploring multiple factors, including the possibility that the driver suffered a medical emergency or was affected by dense fog, which limited visibility at the time. Surveillance from red light cameras at the intersection is expected to play a key role in reconstructing the incident.
The scene was secured by officers from the arson and bomb squad, Nassau County detectives, and the fire marshal. Firefighters from Manhasset-Lakeville, Port Washington, Plandome, and Great Neck fire departments responded to the intense blaze.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities as officials work to identify the driver and understand what led to the tragic crash that shook both the local community and one of its most historic landmarks.
