Police report that Dr. Robert Rubino, 40, of Crown Top Road in Strathmore in Manhasset, was driving westbound on Montauk Highway en route to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip at about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5. He was killed when his 2001 Volvo left the roadway and struck some large rocks and a telephone pole, causing the vehicle to roll over. Dr. Rubino was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:05 a.m.

Dr. Rubino was a heart specialist who helped launch a critical care program to help save heart attack victims on the brink of death. Dr. Larry Altschul, director of cardiology at Good Samaritan, said on Tuesday: "Dr. Rubino joined our practice three years ago as the first interventionist in this community. He became instrumental in developing and deploying the primary angioplasty program at Good Samaritan Hospital for the treatment of acute myocardial infarctions ("heart attacks") which began in May. He was devoted to his patients as well as the community and will be greatly missed by his peers, both as a professional and as a friend."

Det. Sgt. John Diffley of the Third Squad detectives said Rubino was responding to a call for help when he died. "He got beeped by his service that one of his patients at Good Sam needed help and he was going. It is unclear why he went off the road and we are looking for witnesses." Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call detectives at 631-854-8352.

Dr. Rubino was working a 72-hour shift that started Friday morning and would have ended on Monday. Because of the nature of his profession, Dr. Rubino was often on call longer than other cardiologists. It is speculated that he probably fell asleep at the wheel.

Dr. Rubino was married to Debra Guzov. The couple has a 2-year old son, Justin. Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his parents, Anne and Robert Rubino Sr. of Ardsley, NY; two brothers, Dr. Gregory Rubino of Los Angeles and John Rubino of New Jersey and a sister, Marisa Moruzzi of Saratoga, NY.

A wake was held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan on Wednesday, Aug. 8.