HUNTINGTON
Witnesses Sought In Fatal Accident
Businessman killed in crash on Route 25A
By Sara-Megan Walsh/swalsh@longislandernews.com

A Huntington man was killed in a motor vehicle crash last Wednesday in which police are still uncertain the cause.

Robert Visser, 53, was driving along East Main Street in Centerport on Jan. 27 when his vehicle fatally collided head-on with one driven by Gabby Gold, 45, of Fort Salonga. His family and friends recalled the kind-hearted businessman while struggling to come to terms with the accident; the cause of which remains unknown.
“Everyone who met him was inspired to be a better person and to live out their lives to the fullest,” the family said in a statement.

Suffolk County police reported that Visser was driving westbound on East Main Street at approximately 7:25 p.m. when he collided head-on with a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C280 driven eastbound by Gold. His 1996 Honda Civic spun 180 degrees, hitting the guardrail and coming to a stop in the westbound lane, Centerport Fire Chief Robert Ciafardoni said. Gold’s vehicle came to a stop sideways, blocking both lanes of Route 25A.

“We don’t know the cause of the crash. Someone crossed over the double yellow line, but there are no witnesses other than the female driver of the Mercedes,” said Suffolk Det. Lt. Thomas O’Heir.

A Good Samaritan pulled over at the site of the accident and began administering CPR to Visser, the fire chief said, as his crew arrived. Approximately 40 firefighters were attempting to extract the victim from his vehicle when Centerport Fire Department Medical Officer Jack Geffken pronounced Visser dead at the scene. Gold was transported to Huntington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles have been impounded for routine safety checks. O’Heir said an investigation remains ongoing as police are awaiting the county medical examiner’s report to determine if Visser had any medical condition that may have played a role in the crash. Suffolk police are asking any witnesses to call 631-854-8252.

Heidi Visser, Robert’s wife, said her husband was an architect who founded Visser Software services in 1993, a worldwide company that created programs for facility management services including ShowRac.

“He had such a curious mind. Whenever he learned of new things, he would figure how it could be applied to his interest,” Heidi said. “He was always on the cutting edge with his curiosity.”

A family man, Robert Visser spent much of his spare time with his daughters, was involved in the Kiwanis Club, a former Boy Scout troop leader and an avid reader, his wife said.

Heidi has retained attorney Carol L. Schlitt to privately look into the circumstances leading up to Robert’s death. Schlitt has asked anyone who witnessed or knows information about the accident to contact her at 631-425-9775 or Carol@SchlittLaw.com. 

Robert is survived by his wife; his daughters, Julie and Kristi; his sister, Verena Aibel; and brother, Kenneth Visser. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the Waldorf School of Garden City at 225 Cambridge Ave., Garden City, NY 11530 or www.waldorfgarden.org.