A family of five was hospitalized in Suffolk County after a motor vehicle accident that authorities say was caused by a driver under the influence of drugs. One of the three children hurt in the Saturday morning car accident, a 5-year-old boy, died a day later from the catastrophic injuries he received.

Police arrested a 30-year-old man for causing the fatal Sunrise Highway crash in Shirley. The suspect's arraignment on DWAI charges was scheduled in First District Court in Central Islip on the same day medical officials reported the child's death.

Investigative reports say the suspect, a Ronkonkoma resident, was traveling eastbound along Sunrise Highway when his vehicle hit the back of a truck. The truck was occupied by five members of a West Islip family, including a couple and their three children, ages 2 to 7. The 36-year-old husband and father who drove the truck was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The impact of the rear-end collision forced the family's truck off the highway and into a tree.

Emergency responders say the man accused of the crash was offered, but refused medical treatment at the accident scene. All five in the truck were sustained injuries.

Officials say the 5-year-old's injuries were the most severe. The child was transported by air to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The remaining family members including the West Islip couple, their 2-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter were transported to the same hospital. None of the injuries to the two adults and two children was considered life-threatening.

The death of one of the accident victims is likely to compound the impaired driving charges already placed against the Ronkonkoma man.

It is undeniably a tragedy to see a young life senselessly cut short due to a negligent driver. Families facing similar situations are able to pursue monetary damages to help cover medical bills as well as funeral costs. Additionally, if there were lost wages due to time away from work, those may also be reimbursed.

Source: Long Island Press.com, "Man Arrested After Shirley Crash Critically Injures Child," Lindsay Christ, Dec. 11, 2011