HUNTINGTON VILLAGE
Car Crashes Into Theater
By Alessandra Malito/ amalito@longislandernews.com

Movie goers of the Loews Shore 8 movie theater may walk in noticing a the side of the theater has been boarded up – the only evidence that a car crashed into it over the weekend.

The accident occurred at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 near the theater, located on Wall Street in Huntington village. The driver, behind the wheel of a blue Jeep Grand Cherokee, suffered traumatic head injuries.

The reason she slammed into the side of the theater is unknown, but Huntington Fire Department Assistant Chief Ken Cochrane said he thinks something happened to her physically, such as a stroke or heart attack. She was found upside down, face down and underneath the dashboard of the passenger seat.

“The only way you can really do that is making a left-hand turn,” Cochrane said. Responders believe she was going on east on Gerard Street and making a left to go north on Wall Street.

There were no witnesses, to Cochrane’s knowledge. The car is damaged, with more wreckage above the front wheel of the driver’s side, but it took the hit well, the assistant chief said. No air bags deployed.

After being freed by the “Jaws of Life” the driver was taken to Huntington Hospital by the Huntington Community First Aid Squad. About 20 firefighters and rescue workers were on the scene with a heavy rescue truck, pumper and ambulance. They were under the supervision of Cochrane, who was assisted by Deputy Chiefs Bob Berry and Jesse Cukro.

The theater’s damaged wall, next to the entrance which faces Wall Street, has minimal damage to the exterior.

Theater management would not comment based on AMC Corporate policies.