What Happened
Charles Carrano, 19, of Center Moriches was killed Tuesday afternoon after his motorcycle slammed into a pickup truck at the intersection of Montauk Highway and James Hawkins Road in Moriches, according to The South Shore Press, which first reported the fatal crash.
Carrano was operating a 2006 Honda motorcycle traveling eastbound on Montauk Highway when he struck a 2014 Ram 1500 pickup truck at the James Hawkins Road intersection at 12:42 p.m., Suffolk County Police said. The collision was head-on to the broadside of the Ram, consistent with an intersection-approach impact, though the precise movement of the pickup truck — whether it was turning, stopped, or proceeding through — had not been specified in initial police statements, per The South Shore Press report.
Carrano was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office — no transport to a hospital was attempted. The driver of the Ram 1500, Leonardo Munoz-Umanzor, 27, of East Moriches, was uninjured in the collision. No passengers in either vehicle were mentioned by police.
Both the 2006 Honda motorcycle and the 2014 Ram 1500 were impounded for safety checks in the aftermath of the crash, a standard procedure in fatal collisions that allows investigators to examine vehicle mechanics, braking systems, and any equipment defects that may have contributed to the incident. The investigation into the precise cause of the crash remains open, according to Suffolk County Police.
Location & Road Context
Montauk Highway (NY Route 27A) is a heavily traveled surface road that runs the length of the South Shore of Long Island, passing through a string of communities including Moriches and neighboring Center Moriches. The intersection with James Hawkins Road is a standard at-grade crossing along this commercial and residential corridor. Montauk Highway sees consistent two-way traffic throughout the day, and midday hours — when this crash occurred — typically bring a mix of local commercial and through traffic. For more information on road conditions and incidents along this corridor, Long Island Traffic maintains ongoing coverage.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad are leading the investigation into the cause of the fatal crash. As of the initial report published July 14, 2026, no charges had been announced against Munoz-Umanzor, and police had not publicly identified a contributing factor — such as failure to yield, signal violation, or speed — as the cause. Suffolk County Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant information to contact the Seventh Squad directly at 631-852-8752.
Broader Impact
Motorcycle fatalities on Long Island’s surface roads — particularly along corridors like Montauk Highway where vehicle speeds and intersection density combine — are a persistent concern each summer. This crash, involving a 19-year-old rider on a 20-year-old motorcycle, underscores the acute vulnerability of young and newer riders during peak riding season. Anyone involved in a crash on Long Island can review their options at /know-your-rights/.