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Suffolk County has initiated a traffic study for the West Babylon intersection of Great East Neck Road and Railroad Avenue, a spokesperson for County Executive Ed Romaine told Daily Voice.
It comes after an early-morning crash on Saturday, Sept. 21, that killed 33-year-old Michael Desmond, of Lindenhurst and 18-year-old Riley Goot, of Babylon. On Thursday, Sept. 26, authorities confirmed a third victim, 17-year-old Bella Trezza, had died from her injuries.
Suffolk County Police said Desmond was driving a Kia sedan eastbound on Railroad Avenue when he ran a red light at the intersection of Great East Neck Road and slammed into a Kia SUV driven by Trezza.
Two additional male passengers in her SUV, an 18- and 16-year-old, were taken to South Shore University Hospital with serious injuries.
At the time of the wreck, Trezza was driving her brother and his friends home after picking them up at a party, according to a GoFundMe.
News of her death sparked a flood of tributes online. Among them was one from her school, St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, remembering her as “a bright ray of sunshine.”
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved senior, Bella Trezza.In this time of grief, let us hold onto the promise of Christ's Resurrection and find comfort in our shared faith,” the school said on Facebook.
“The SJB Community remembers Bella as a bright ray of sunshine, and continues to pray for her brother, Austin, Bella's family, and all those affected by the accident through this difficult time.”
Trezza was an aspiring nurse, having completed a certificate in healthcare internship program, said GoFundMe organizer Gina DellaMonica.
Her brother Austin, a volunteer firefighter at the West Babylon Fire department, was listed in stable condition after undergoing multiple surgeries. He faces “a long haul ahead” that may include additional surgeries and rehabilitation, DellaMonica said.
Meanwhile, funeral services were held Thursday morning for Goot, who had just graduated from West Babylon High School last spring. Relatives remembered him as “an amazing young man” and “ray of light” on a GoFundMe campaign to help his family with memorial expenses.
“His family is devastated. Riley was an amazing big brother, friend, son, student, and athlete,” said campaign organizer Rachel Morris. “Anyone who knew Riley knew how truly awesome he was, and he will be missed.”
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