Candlelight Vigil Sunday After LI Crash Leaves 2 Dead, 4 Teens Injured

BABYLON, NY — A broken-hearted community will come together to mourn Sunday night after a devastating West Babylon crash Saturday that took the lives of two people, including an 18-year-old, and left four teens seriously injured.

The West Babylon Volunteer Fire Department posted about the "Light It Up Blue and Gold" vigil Sunday: "As many of you are aware, our community was deeply affected by the tragic automobile accident that occurred yesterday morning. In light of this, a candlelight vigil has been organized to honor the lives impacted by this tragedy, and support those still recovering and their families."

The vigil will be held Sunday evening at Pape Field, beginning at 8 p.m. "This is an important moment for us to come together as a community and show our support for one another during this difficult time. Your presence is greatly appreciated," the fire department said.

According to Suffolk County police, Michael Desmond, 33, of Lindenhurst was driving a 2017 Kia sedan eastbound on Railroad Avenue and failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of Great East Neck Road when his vehicle struck a 2025 Kia Seltos traveling southbound on Great East Neck Road around 1 a.m., police said.

Desmond was pronounced dead at the scene; Riley Goot, 18, of Babylon, a passenger in the Seltos, was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The driver of the Seltos, Bella Trezza 17, and her passengers, Austin Trezza 18, and Jack Murphy 18, all of Babylon, were transported to Good Samaritan for treatment of serious injuries, police said. Another passenger, Anthony Pagliuca, 16, of West Babylon, was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of serious injuries, police said.

The vehicles were impounded for safety checks, police said.

Anyone with information on the crash to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Austin and Bella Trezza and their family.