2 separate crashes snarl Long Island Expressway traffic during PM commute

HAUPPAGUE, N.Y. (WABC) -- Two separate crashes shut down lanes and snarled traffic on the Long Island Expressway in Suffolk County Wednesday night during the evening commute.

At one point traffic was backed up at least seven miles in the eastbound lanes. All lanes were reopened by 7:15 p.m.

The first crash happened in the eastbound lanes of the LIE near Exit 56 in Hauppague at about 4:10 p.m. That one involved a motorcycle.

Emergency crews closed down all of the eastbound lanes. The motorcycle rider, 56-year old Charles Clayton of Mastic, lost control, crashed into a barrier wall and was thrown off the vehicle onto the roadway.

Clayton is being treated at Stony Brook University Hospital for multiple serious injuries.

A short time later, a crash involving a Suffolk County police vehicle occurred in the westbound lane.

There were major delays in both directions through the area.