Driver dead after car crashes into Manhasset Quaker Meeting House, bursts into flames
One person died when a car crashed into the Quaker Meeting House in Manhasset on Thursday morning.
Authorities say the driver died when the car crashed into the building at around 5:40 a.m. They say the car came careening through the intersection of Shelter Rock Road and Northern Boulevard and then slammed into the house and burst into flames.
Police say the car was registered to a 41-year-old man from New Rochelle, but they do not know if he was the driver.
The 300-year-old Quaker Meeting House is an historic location in Nassau County. It still holds Sunday worship services. The foundation of the centuries-old building is clearly damaged.
Cause of the crash not yet known
Police were on the scene all morning as they investigated why the driver ended up so far off the road since the building is set back. It's not clear if the driver suffered a medical episode, or whether poor visibility played a role since it was foggy at the time.
Red light cameras will assist police in determining the cause of the crash.
Investigators with the arson and bomb squad were on the scene, along with fire marshal, and detectives.
Firefighters from Manhasset-Lakeville, Port Washington, Pandome and Great Neck all responded to the scene.
The name of the person who died has not yet been released.
Building is on the National Register of Historic Places
Members of the Quaker community were present at the scene as well. One told CBS News New York it was not the first time a car has penetrated their grounds in recent months. It's actually the second.
"It's used as a meeting place. It's used for home schooling. It's used for a variety of art and culture programs," Dick Lopez said. "It's a special place, and we're here every Sunday. It's a nice place."
The facility was built in the 1700s, and is still in continuous use. It was used by the British during the Revolutionary War, but major roads have built up around it over the generations.
The house is on . There's an oak tree that is one of the largest and oldest on Long Island.
The damage appears to be to a new part of the house, and Department of Buildings officials are assessing its stability.
