Man Arrested After Fatal Suffolk Crash

HOLTSVILLE, NY — A 56-year-old man was killed in a crash after being rear-ended by an unlicensed driver in Holtsville Thursday morning, Suffolk police said.

Donald Artis, of Ridge, was driving a 2000 Pontiac south on North Ocean Avenue at Fox Ridge Drive at about 10 a.m. when his vehicle was struck from behind by Holbrook resident Craig Smith, who was driving a 2004 Ford pickup truck.

Artis lost control of his car and struck a tree. The Holtsville Fire Department and police worked together to free Artis from the vehicle. He was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he died from his injuries, police said.

Fifth Squad detectives charged Smith, 46, with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Smith was issued a desk appearance ticket and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.