LI Pizza Strong Raises $105K For Fatal Crash Survivors

BABYLON, NY — Long Island's love for pizza raised over $10,000 to benefit the families affected by the tragic fatal car crash that took the lives of two teenagers and seriously injured three others in West Babylon in September.

On Saturday, pizzeria owners and the team at Long Island Pizza Strong, who organized the fundraiser, presented a $105,000 check to the families of Riley Goot, 18, Bella Trezza, 17, Austin Trezza, Jack Murphy, 18, Anthony Pagliuca, 16, who were driving together when a driver ran a red light and hit the teens.

Riley was pronounced dead shortly after the crash, Bella passed away after four days on life support, and the other three boys and their families are navigating a long road to recovery.

"It was an emotional day of sadness and joy, but we were honored to this for the third time for the families and we hope the money raised helps. We know it can't bring anyone back, but hope it makes a difference," Long Island Pizza Strong organizer Alyssa Guidice, told Patch.

The drive to help their community inspired 199 pizzeria owners to participate in the fundraising. Each pizzeria agreed to donate $5 for each pie sold Oct. 23 to the families of the teens in the 2025 Kia Seltos in West Babylon that fateful night.

Thanks to pizza-loving Long Islanders everywhere, 18,856 pizzas were sold and numerous additional donations were given, Guidice said.

Long Island Pizza Strong was also recognized with a proclamation from the Town of Babylon, presented by Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. Each of the participating pizzerias are also being awarded a Certificate of Special Recognition from the town.

LI Pizza Strong's first fundraiser raised $102K for the victims of the Farmingdale High School bus crash tragedy, which happened on Sept. 21, 2023, when the bus crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine in Orange County.

In early October, Guidice told Patch that spearheading a third fundraiser was a no-brainer when the tragic Babylon crash happened "within 20 hours" to the day of the Farmingdale bus crash.

"We were destined to do it," Guidice said.

Proceeds went to five pools among the bus crash victims: the students who were critically injured, non-critically injured students, the families of Gina Pellettiere and Bea Ferrari who were killed, and the school for marching band equipment, said Jim Serpico, one of the Long Island Pizza Strong organizers.

That tragedy led to $102,200 getting donated from 140 participating pizzerias.

In April of 2024, LI Pizza Strong hosted its second fundraiser the family of slain NYPD Jonathan Diller, and three pro-police charities.

That time around, $181,500 was raised for Diller's family and the charities.

Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino gave LI Pizza Strong a proclamation in naming Oct. 25 Long Island Pizza Day, spurring the group to resume the one-day fundraising.