SMITHTOWN

Five injured in SUV crash

JOHN VALENTI

February 23, 2007

Two girls, ages 8 and 9, were in critical condition at Stony Brook University Medical Center yesterday following a one-car crash just a few doors from the driver's home in Smithtown.

Suffolk police said Arlene Dinnigan, 43, of 4 Howell Dr., was driving a 2003 GMC Envoy sport utility vehicle carrying her daughter and three of her nieces when she apparently lost control and crashed into a tree in front of 18 Howell Dr. at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday.

Dinnigan's 8-year-old daughter and 9-year-old niece suffered "severe blunt trauma" injuries and were in critical condition, police said. Dinnigan and two other nieces, ages 2 and 5, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were listed in stable condition at the medical center.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Police said the crash remained under investigation.

No charges had been filed against Dinnigan.