A driver crashed into a Huntington Station adult home late Sunday night and then fled, according to News 12 Long Island. Twenty-seven residents had to leave their home. Officials said no one was hurt, but the crash is a reminder that one reckless moment behind the wheel can upend many lives. As a Suffolk County car accident lawyer team, Chaikin Trial Group is following the investigation. Below, we explain what happened, why these crashes occur, and what rights you have if a hit-and-run driver injures you or damages your home on Long Island.
What Happened in the Huntington Station Crash
News 12 Long Island reported that the crash happened around 10 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026. A Honda Civic was traveling north on McKay Road when it left the roadway and struck the Manor Haven Adult Home at 222 Columbia Street in Huntington Station. Manor Haven is a state-licensed, 32-bed facility.
Officials said:
- No injuries were reported.
- The driver fled before police arrived. As of Monday morning, Suffolk County police were still searching for the driver.
- Suffolk County fire officials said the crash flooded the building’s basement, and utilities had to be shut off.
- Twenty-seven residents were displaced. A Town of Huntington building inspector came to the scene, and the Red Cross is helping residents find temporary places to stay.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not released any further details about the driver or the cause of the crash. Anyone with information should contact the Suffolk County Police Department.
We are grateful that no one was hurt. For residents who depend on a stable, familiar home, losing that home even for a short time is a real hardship. We hope they can return safely soon.
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Why Cars Crash Into Homes and Buildings
Searches for “car crashes into house” are common for a sad reason: vehicles leave the road and hit homes, storefronts and care facilities across the country far more often than most people realize. Police have not said what caused Sunday’s crash. In general, crashes in which a car leaves the roadway are often linked to:
- Speeding, especially on residential streets with curves or intersections
- Impaired driving involving alcohol, cannabis or other drugs
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone
- Drowsy driving late at night
- Pedal confusion, when a driver presses the gas instead of the brake
- Vehicle defects, such as brake or steering failures
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists speeding, impairment, distraction and drowsy driving as leading risky driving behaviors behind serious crashes nationwide. On Long Island, busy roads run right next to homes, businesses and care facilities. When a driver loses control, there is often little room before the car reaches a building.
Hit-and-Run Crashes: What New York Law Requires
New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600 requires a driver involved in a crash that damages property or injures someone to stop and exchange information. If the owner isn’t there, the driver must report the crash to police. Leaving the scene can bring criminal charges. Charges are more serious when someone is hurt or killed.
For victims, a hit-and-run creates an immediate question: who pays? When a driver can’t be found, injured people in New York may still be able to recover through their own insurance or through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). Strict notice deadlines apply. In many hit-and-run cases, the crash must be reported to police within 24 hours (or as soon as reasonably possible), and written notice must be filed within 90 days. An experienced hit and run accident lawyer can help make sure those deadlines are met.
Your Legal Rights After a Long Island Car Accident
If you were hurt in a Long Island car accident, including a hit-and-run or a crash into your home or business, New York law gives you several possible paths to recovery:
- No-Fault (PIP) benefits: New York is a no-fault state. Your own auto policy, or the policy covering the vehicle involved, generally pays medical bills and some lost wages up to policy limits, no matter who caused the crash. Applications are generally due within 30 days of the accident.
- Claims for serious injuries: To sue an at-fault driver for pain and suffering, an injured person usually must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). Examples include a fracture, significant disfigurement, or an injury that keeps you from your usual activities for 90 of the first 180 days.
- Property damage: Owners of homes and buildings that are struck may have claims against the driver and the driver’s insurer for repairs, lost use and related costs.
- Uninsured/unidentified driver coverage: If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist (SUM/UM) coverage or MVAIC may be available.
- Time limits: Most New York personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the crash, and wrongful death claims within two years. Claims against a municipality usually require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Shorter insurance deadlines may apply, so don’t wait.
Every case is different. A Suffolk County car accident lawyer can review the facts and tell you which options apply.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run
If a driver hits you, your car or your home and leaves, here is what to do after a hit and run:
- Get to safety and call 911. Ask for medical help if anyone may be hurt.
- Write down everything you remember: the vehicle’s make, model, color, plate number (even part of it), the direction it went, and any damage to it.
- Look for cameras and witnesses. Doorbell cameras, business security systems and dashcams often catch hit-and-run drivers. Get witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
- File a police report right away and get the report number. This matters for insurance and MVAIC claims.
- Get medical care, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, but be careful about giving recorded statements before you get legal advice.
- Photograph the scene and the damage, including any damage to your home or property.
- Talk to a hit and run lawyer before deadlines pass.
How Chaikin Trial Group Can Help
Chaikin Trial Group represents people hurt in car accidents on Long Island and across New York City, with offices in Melville and Manhattan. Our attorneys can:
- Investigate the crash, including collecting video and police records
- Identify every available insurance policy, including no-fault, SUM and MVAIC coverage
- Handle communications with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery
- Bring claims for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering when the law allows
Learn more about our Long Island personal injury practice, see the communities we serve, and review our case results. If a crash happened on someone else’s property, our premises liability lawyers can also help.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Contact us online to speak with a Suffolk County car accident lawyer today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hit and run lawyer if the driver was never found?
Often, yes. Even if the driver is never found, you may be able to recover through your own policy’s no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage or through MVAIC. These claims come with strict notice deadlines and paperwork, and an attorney can help protect your rights.
What should I do if a car crashes into my house on Long Island?
Call 911, get everyone out safely, and don’t go back in until officials say the building is safe. Then document the damage, get a copy of the police report, and notify your homeowner’s insurer. You may have claims against the driver and the driver’s auto insurer.
How long do I have to file a Long Island car accident claim?
Most New York personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years, but no-fault applications are generally due within 30 days, and hit-and-run reporting and MVAIC deadlines can be much shorter. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. See our FAQs for more information.
Does Chaikin Trial Group handle Huntington car accident cases?
Yes. Our Melville office is close to Huntington and Huntington Station, and we represent car accident victims throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties and New York City.
Conclusion
We are thankful that no one was hurt when a driver crashed into the Manor Haven Adult Home and fled. Still, 27 people were forced out of their home, and the driver has not yet been found. If you or someone you love has been hurt by a reckless or hit-and-run driver, a Suffolk County car accident lawyer at Chaikin Trial Group can explain your options. Reach out online for a free consultation.
Sources: News 12 Long Island; NHTSA – Risky Driving; NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600. This article is based on early news reports, and details may change as the investigation continues.
Attorney Advertising. This blog is for general information only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.