Man dies in Florida crash

By Nathan Mayberg
FLORIDA — A 20-year-old former Middletown resident died Thursday after he crashed into two vehicles on South Main Street in the Village of Florida, police said.

Nicholas Vasile, who had an address of Palm Bay, Florida, according to state police, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 4:50 p.m.

Vasile, who was born in Middletown according to his obituary, was traveling through the Town of Warwick at the intersection of Main Street and Maple Street during a power outage, State Trooper Steven Nevel said.

A Town of Warwick Police officer was stationed at the intersection since a traffic light was not working.

As Vasile approached the intersection, the officer signaled for him to stop, Nevel said.

Vasile allegedly moved his vehicle forward, toward the officer, prompting the officer to ask Vasile to pull over, Nevel said.

Instead, Nevel allegedly accelerated down South Main Street.

The Warwick officer contacted Village of Florida police to notify them that a vehicle was heading their way at a high rate of speed.

Four miles away from the intersection, Vasile lost control of the Acura he was driving and struck a Mercury which was heading in the opposite direction, Nevel said.

The Acura overturned and hit a Dodge Ram truck.

Vasile was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two occupants of the Mercury were transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Community Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

The driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Village of Florida and Town of Warwick police declined to comment on the accident.

Warwick police referred questions to the District Attorney's Office.

Messages left with the Orange County District Attorney's Office were not returned.

Vasile was predeceased by his brother and best friend, Jon Francis Gambino, who passed away last year, according to an obituary.

Vasile's nickname was "Nico." He was active in sports and loved all things automotive. He frequently went to car shows, according to the obituary.

"When his brother died, he made a promise to restore the car he loved. This was a promise he kept. He restored it to its original beauty and drove it proudly in the memory of his brother," his obituary stated.

"Unfortunately, this was also the car in which he lost his life."

Services for Vasile were scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 5-7 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home in Newburgh.