Tragedy on the Road: A Heartbreaking Collision Leaves Families Devastated

In a tragic turn of events, a late-night car crash in Suffolk County, New York, has left a community in mourning. The collision, which occurred on a Saturday morning, claimed the lives of two young individuals and left several others seriously injured. The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and a call for increased road safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

A Devastating Crash that Shook a Community

The Fateful Collision

According to the police report, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday when the driver of a Kia sedan ran a red light while heading eastbound on Railroad Avenue. The sedan then collided with a 2025 Kia Seltos that was traveling southbound on Great East Neck Road, carrying five local teenagers. The impact of the collision was severe, with the Seltos being sideswiped and thrown into a "pile of destruction."

The Victims

The driver of the Kia sedan, identified as 33-year-old Michael Desmond of Lindenhurst, was pronounced dead at the scene. Riley Goot, an 18-year-old passenger in the Seltos, was also pronounced dead shortly after being transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip.The four surviving teenagers in the Seltos, Bella and her passengers Austin Trezza, Jack Murphy, and Anthony Pagliuca, all suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized at local medical facilities. Bella, in particular, was reported to be on life support after suffering severe brain trauma, losing her spleen, and experiencing a "tremendous amount of blood" loss.

The Community's Response

The tragedy has deeply impacted the local community, with a vigil being held on Sunday evening at Pape Field in West Babylon. Riley Goot's funeral took place on Wednesday at the Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home in Babylon, as the community gathered to mourn the loss of the young life.The incident has also highlighted the importance of road safety and the need for increased measures to prevent such accidents from occurring. The West Babylon Volunteer Fire Department, where one of the injured teenagers, Austin, was a member since 2023, has also been deeply affected by the tragedy.

The Aftermath and Ongoing Support

In the aftermath of the crash, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Bella's family as she continues to receive medical treatment for her severe injuries. The community has rallied around the affected families, offering prayers, condolences, and financial assistance to help them through this difficult time.The tragic events of that fateful night have left an indelible mark on the community, serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety. As the investigation into the crash continues, the community remains united in its grief and determination to honor the memory of those lost and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.