Deadly crash closes stretch of Southern State Parkway - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Four people were killed and a 17-year-old driver was injured when their car crashed on the Southern State Parkway on Long Island Monday, police said.

Joseph Beer, 17, of Queens, was driving a 2012 Subaru Impreza when he failed to negotiate a turn and lost control of the car near Exit 17N at about 3:45 a.m., State Police said.

The car veered off the highway, over the shoulder, and crashed into several trees, police said.

The driver and four passengers, all Queens, were thrown from the Subaru. The four passengers were all killed, police said. Medics rushed Beer to Winthrop Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, police said.

The passengers' bodies were taken to the Nassau County Medical Center. Their names were released on Tuesday morning. They were identified as:

• Neal Rajapa, 17, South Ozone Park
• Christopher Kahn, 18, South Ozone Park
• Peter Kanhai, 18, South Ozone Park
• Darian Ramnarine, 18, Jamaica

State Police said that Beer had only a learner permit, not a full-fledged license.

Under New York State and Nassau County laws, someone under the age of 18 who holds a learner permit cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and cannot have more than one passenger under the age of 21 in the car. Furthermore, a learner permit holder of any age must be accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 21.

Fox 5 News spoke with a witness who said he saw a man, likely the driver, walking near the crash site who appeared disoriented.

"I really think he was the only survivor of the crash," the unidentified man said.

All westbound lanes between exit 17 and exit 19 in Malverne were closed for most of the Monday morning commute.