Funeral Arrangements Set For Child, 4, Who Died After LI Crash

FLANDERS, NY —Funeral arrangements have been set for Gracelyn Jane Perkowski, 4.

Gracelynn died Sunday after being critically injured in a Flanders crash, according to New York State Police.

Visitation will take Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home, located at 336 Marcy Avenue in Riverhead.

A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church. Burial will follow at St. Isidore Cemetery.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

The community has come together to help Gracelyn's family in their time of sorrow.

A GoFundMe page, "Gracie's Family Needs Your Help," was created by Olivia Kneski of Riverhead. "As a community we must come together to help Gracelyn’s family during this difficult time," she wrote. "Any monetary donation will be helpful with expenses incurred by this tragedy. Please help the Perkowski family in any way you can. God bless you."

Another fundraiser was organized by the North Fork Brewing Co.; a GoFundMe page was also created for that event, "Give Back for Gracelyn Perkowski." From noon to 8 p.m. on January 22 at the North Fork Brewing Co., located at 24 E. 2nd Street in Riverhead, $1 from every beverage sold will be donated to help Gracelyn's family. Those who are unable to make the fundraiser can donate via the GoFundMe, organizers said.

St. David's School, the preschool Gracelyn attended, held a "Gelato for Gracelyn" event to benefit her family Tuesday; another event will be held Thursday at the school; sweets will be sold all day beginning at 8 a.m. with ice cream sold between 11:30 a.m. and 5 pm.

After the crash, Gracelyn's mother Amy Wesolowski, 34, was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, police said.

According to New York State Police, at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, Southampton Town Police received a call regarding a crash on Flanders Road.

Wesolowski was driving a 2005 Toyota RAV4 with her daughter Gracelyn when the car collided with a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Sonya Fezza, 29, of Water Mill, police said.

Wesolowski was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, and aggravated DWI with child, a felony, and was held for morning arraignment, police said.

Officials said Southampton Town Animal Control Officer Colleen Kidd, "quickly sprang into action" and helped to save the little girl's life. Neighbors also reportedly rushed to the scene to try and save Gracelyn. She was transported to the hospital by Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, who continued work to resuscitate her.

The crash is still under investigation and New York State Police are asking anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.