A popular Latin teacher from the North Shore School District was hospitalized with a broken leg Friday after he was struck by car that then ran into a second vehicle, injuring two more people.
Police said Cruz Correa, 28, of 21-31 Brewster St., Glen Cove, was traveling north on Glen Cove Avenue near North Shore High School when he struck the teacher, Christopher Whalley, who was crossing the road. The 1991 Lexus then crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2007 Volkswagen Passat carrying two people.
Whalley, who teaches at both North Shore Middle School and the High School, routinely crosses the street between the two schools between classes, a community source said.
The crash took place just before 10 a.m. on Glen Cove Avenue between North Shore High School and One Price Dry Cleaners and left both cars mangled in the street.
Emergency workers descended on the scene. The cars involved faced each other and appeared to have struck head-on. Their front ends were badly crumpled from the impact. Once the victims had been moved away, a helicopter rose from behind North Shore High School carrying the driver of the Lexus and glided over the crash site.
Correa was airlifted by Nassau County Police helicopter to Nassau University Medical Center. The three other victims were transported to area hospitals with a multitude of injuries. Both vehicles were impounded for brake and safety checks. The investigation is continuing at this time.
Correa is charged with reckless driving and will be arraigned as soon as medically practical.
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