Rufino Tojil-Ambrocio was riding his motorcycle along Route 25 in Southold on Monday evening when a Honda Civic crossed into his lane and struck him. The 42-year-old Greenport resident suffered fatal injuries in the collision, which happened near Port of Egypt Marina shortly after 6 p.m. on November 2, 2026.
According to Southold Town Police, the crash happened around 6:04 p.m. as Tojil-Ambrocio traveled eastbound on Route 25. A westbound 2009 Honda Civic crossed into the opposite lane and struck his motorcycle. The impact left him unresponsive at the scene.
Emergency responders arrived and began assisting the injured motorcyclist. Members of the Southold Fire Department transported him to Eastern Long Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 42 years old.
But the crash quickly took another turn when a responding police officer noticed a heavily damaged vehicle traveling away from the area. The officer suspected the vehicle might have been involved in the collision, turned around and pulled it over.
Police identified the driver as Jose Perez-Perez, 58, of Greenport. Investigators later determined that his Honda Civic was the vehicle involved in the fatal collision. Perez-Perez was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death without reporting.
Authorities also reported that Perez-Perez submitted to standardized field sobriety testing. Officers observed no signs of impairment during the testing. His arrest was connected to his alleged failure to remain at the scene and report the fatal crash.
The New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit responded to assist Southold Town Police with the investigation. Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision that claimed Tojil-Ambrocio’s life.
For those who knew Rufino, the news marks the loss of a 42-year-old man whose life ended during what should have been an ordinary journey. He lived in Greenport, and his death has left his family and loved ones facing a painful loss.
Southold Town Police extended their condolences to Tojil-Ambrocio’s family and everyone affected by his death. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the circumstances of the crash and the events that followed.
Leave a Reply