Bella Trezza 'Lives On' As Organ Donor 'Hero' After Tragic Death

BABYLON, NY — While a heartbroken community is mourning the tragic death Bella Trezza, the same community is finding strength and hope knowing that Bella will live on by giving the gift of life as an organ donor, LiveOnNY announced Thursday.

The teen died Thursday after days on life support following a fatal West Babylon car crash that killed two people, including an 18-year-old, and hospitalized four teens.

In a statement, LiveOnNY president and CEO Leonard Achan said: "Bella Trezza, a 17-year-old high school senior from Long Island, NY, tragically lost her life after a car struck a vehicle that was carrying her and other student passengers.

"Bella’s family has graciously made the decision to give the gift of life to others on the transplant wait list so that they and Bella may Live On. At this moment, LiveOnNY is working with the medical and transplant community to ensure that the wishes of Bella’s family are honored. LiveOnNY is humbled to be the stewards of Bella’s precious gifts of life.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Bella’s family, friends, loved ones and the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as the other passengers involved."

At around 1 a.m. on September 21, the driver of a Kia sedan ran through a red light heading eastbound on Railroad Avenue and hit a 2025 Kia Seltos traveling southbound on Great East Neck Road that contained Bella and her four teenage passengers, Suffolk County police said.

The sedan's driver, Michael Desmond, 33, of Lindenhurst was pronounced dead on the scene while Riley Goot, 18, of Babylon, a passenger of Bella's, was pronounced dead shortly after at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, police said.

The four surviving teens, Bella, her brother, Austin, 18, Jack Murphy, 18, all of Babylon, and Anthony Pagliuca, 16, of West Babylon, were all hospitalized at local hospitals for treatment of serious injuries.

According to her family's GoFundMe, Bella was on life support after suffering severe brain trauma, losing her spleen and a "tremendous amount of blood" in the crash.

According to the fundraiser, Bella picked up her brother and friends from a party and was driving them home when the car was sideswiped and "thrown into a pile of destruction."

Shortly after, emergency medical services were on the scene, including the West Babylon Volunteer Fire Department crew who found one of their own, Austin, a member of the fire department since 2023.

Bella, Austin, and Jack were transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, while Anthony was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, officials said.

A vigil was held Sunday evening at Pape Field in West Babylon; a second prayer vigil was later held.

Riley's funeral took place on Wednesday at Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home in Babylon.