'Missed Beyond Measure': Motorcyclist Killed In LI Crash Cherished 'Freedom Of The Open Road' 'Missed Beyond Measure': Motorcyclist Killed In LI Crash Cherished 'Freedom Of The Open Road'
'Missed Beyond Measure': Motorcyclist Killed In LI Crash Cherished 'Freedom Of The Open Road' Loved ones are mourning the loss of a Long Island man whose life was cut short following a motorcycle crash in Levittown. Gary Bertsch, 54, was critically injured Sunday, July 13, when the 2019 Aprilia motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV on Valley Road just before 5 p.m., Nassau County Police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but died of his injuries the following day. The SUV driver, identified as a 20-year-old woman, remained at the scene. The crash is under investigation, police said. Bertsch was remembered as a devoted husband, proud grandfather, and the kind of man w…
Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services
Marine From NY Dies At 22: Community Rallies To Bring His Platoon To His Services When Rockland County native and Lance Corporal Ryan James Barnard died earlier this month while serving with the US Marine Corps in Hawaii, his community he called home responded with one goal: bringing his brothers in arms to his services to say goodbye.  Barnard, a 22-year-old from Valley Cottage, died on Wednesday, July 2, while stationed at Kaneohe Bay, assigned to the Third Littoral Combat Team, Second Platoon, Ares Company. A Marine through and through, Ryan was known for his deep loyalty, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to those around him, his obituary said.  His…
NJ Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene NJ Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene
NJ Nightlife Icon DJ Ammo Dies Suddenly, Shockwaves Spread Through NYC Club Scene Friends, family, and fans are mourning the sudden loss of Mossna M. Varasteh, a Bergen County native known worldwide as DJ Ammo, whose reach spanned from New York City to Asia. Varasteh, 42, died on Tuesday, July 8. He had gone to bed, gotten up around 5 a.m., gone back to sleep and was found unresponsive just hours later, his loved ones said. An exact cause has not yet been identified. Ammo had recently returned from performances in Japan, Germany, Amsterdam, and Aruba, and was still DJing major New York City events just weeks before his passing. He got his start in the summer after 8th g…
Longtime NY Firefighter, 9/11 Hero Dies At 67: Remembered For Lifetime Of Service Longtime NY Firefighter, 9/11 Hero Dies At 67: Remembered For Lifetime Of Service
Longtime NY Firefighter, 9/11 Hero Dies At 67: Remembered For Lifetime Of Service A brave Hudson Valley first responder and FDNY EMS hero who raced to the World Trade Center on 9/11 has died.  John “Jackie” Sullivan, a 36-year volunteer firefighter in both the Rockland County village of Spring Valley and the Westchester County town of Yorktown, died on Wednesday, July 9, at the age of 67, the Yorktown Heights Volunteer Fire Department announced.  Sullivan, a Navy veteran, served for 12 years as a flight engineer before embarking on a 31-year career in New York City Emergency Medical Services, eventually rising to the rank of Deputy Chief at FDNY EMS in addition…
Here's What Missing 13-Year-Old Girl From Bay Shore May Be Wearing Here's What Missing 13-Year-Old Girl From Bay Shore May Be Wearing
Here's What Missing 13-Year-Old Girl From Bay Shore May Be Wearing Authorities are asking for help in locating a missing 13-year-old girl from Long Island. Nadelisse Forde was last seen at her Bay Shore residence on Wednesday, June 25, according to the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse . Forde was last seen wearing a black and white Nike t-shirt, blue sweatpants, and black and white Nike Jordan sneakers. She has orange highlights in her hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-346-3543. Share this story by clicking the Facebook icon below. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
'World Is Dimmer Without Him': Teen Motorcyclist Killed In Babylon Crash 'Was Gift To Us All' 'World Is Dimmer Without Him': Teen Motorcyclist Killed In Babylon Crash 'Was Gift To Us All'
'World Is Dimmer Without Him': Teen Motorcyclist Killed In Babylon Crash 'Was Gift To Us All' Support is surging for the family of a 17-year-old Long Island boy who was killed in a motorcycle crash. Robert “RJ” Buerkle, of West Babylon, was gravely injured after his motorcycle collided with a turning pickup truck on Tappan Avenue in Babylon just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, as Daily Voice reported. He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead. The 84-year-old pickup driver was not injured. In the wake of the heartbreaking loss, the community has rallied around his family. A GoFundMe campaign launched for his mother and sibli…
NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance
NY 22-Year-Old Was Killed Days After Graduation—Now His Name Is Giving Others A Second Chance Just weeks ago, Simon Brault was celebrating a milestone: graduating from Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance. Now, his family is preparing to lay him to rest—while launching a scholarship in his name that will help other young adults in need. Simon, 20, died after being stabbed on a Clifton Park street Saturday, May 31, in what investigators allege was a senseless attack involving two teens, as Daily Voice previously reported.  Both suspects have since been arrested. Investigators did not publicly speculate on a possible motiv…
Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented' Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented'
Pastor's Daughter, 21, Killed In NY Jet Ski Accident Remembered As 'Caring, Talented' Tributes are pouring in for a young woman who died following a jet ski crash on Great Sacandaga Lake in Fulton County. Grace Clark, 21, was killed when the jet ski she was operating collided with a pontoon boat just north of the Broadalbin Boat Launch on Monday evening, June 23, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Clark’s passenger, a 29-year-old man from Schoharie County, survived the impact and remains hospitalized at Albany Medical Center. Nobody on the pontoon boat was injured. A preliminary investigation found that the boat was traveling at about 20 miles per hour, while …
‘Touched So Many Lives’: 19-Year-Old Killed In East Hampton Crash Dreamed Of Joining Army ‘Touched So Many Lives’: 19-Year-Old Killed In East Hampton Crash Dreamed Of Joining Army
‘Touched So Many Lives’: 19-Year-Old Killed In East Hampton Crash Dreamed Of Joining Army A devastated Long Island family is mourning the loss of a 19-year-old high school student who was killed in a suspected drunk driving crash that injured six others a week before graduation. Scarleth Samaniego was gravely injured when a vehicle carrying eight people, mostly teens, overturned and struck a tree on Stone Highway in East Hampton late Sunday night, June 15, according to police. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An 18-year-old East Hampton woman was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she is listed in serious but stable condition, as Daily Voice reported. Five…
Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted NY Dad, Heroic Lineman Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted NY Dad, Heroic Lineman
Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted NY Dad, Heroic Lineman Services have been scheduled to honor the life of a Hudson Valley father and dedicated lineman who died while trying to save his sons from a burning home.  Shane Webb Munn, age 50, of Goshen, died on Saturday, May 31, after he rushed back into his burning home on Pulaski Highway in a desperate effort to rescue his two sons, Ryan, 17, and Travis, 12.  All three died as a result of the fire, which was reported around 8:10 p.m. at 876 Pulaski Highway, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  According to New York State Police, Munn had been seen using a weed trimmer outsid…
Gas Explosion Kills Son, Injures Parents In Mastic Home; Family 'Forever Changed' Gas Explosion Kills Son, Injures Parents In Mastic Home; Family 'Forever Changed'
Gas Explosion Kills Son, Injures Parents In Mastic Home; Family 'Forever Changed' A Long Island family is reeling from a devastating house explosion that claimed the life of their son and left their home in ruins. What began as a peaceful evening at home for John and Maryann Gaeta quickly turned into a nightmare on Monday, May 5, when their Mastic house exploded, killing their 56-year-old son, Frank Gaeta, and injuring both parents. Now, daughter Melissa Santoro is sharing their harrowing story — and asking for help. In a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2,000, Santoro described how her parents were upstairs watching TV while Frank was showering downstairs when t…
'Full Of Light And Laughter': Death Of Young LI Boy Sparks Flood Of Support For Family 'Full Of Light And Laughter': Death Of Young LI Boy Sparks Flood Of Support For Family
'Full Of Light And Laughter': Death Of Young LI Boy Sparks Flood Of Support For Family A Long Island community is rallying around a heartbroken family after the sudden and devastating loss of their young son. The Michelotto-Pedreros family, of Westbury, is grieving after what loved ones describe as an unimaginable tragedy–the untimely death of young Paolo, according to a GoFundMe campaign. The boy’s age and cause of death were not given. “The sudden and tragic loss of a child is a heartbreak no parent is ever prepared for,” said campaign organizer Elysia Jimenez. “Paolo was a source of light and laughter to everyone who knew him. Bright, funny, and full of life, he brought jo…