3 High School Students Die In LI Crash, District 'Deeply Saddened'

HOLTSVILLE, NY — Authorities have identified three teens — ages 16, 17 and 18 — who died when the car they were in crashed in a wooded area in Holtsville on Wednesday night, Suffolk police said.

Around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, 16-year-old Cem Gunes, a Sachem High School East student, was driving a 2009 Infinity G37 northbound on Nicolls Road with 17-year-old Taylor Beltramini, of Moriches, and 18-year-old Landon Kromhout Auditore, of Mastic, when the vehicle veered off the roadway near Division Street and crashed into a wooded area, according to authorities.

Suffolk County police told Patch they are investigating the cause of the crash, including into where the trio came from and how fast they were traveling.

Multiple witnesses told police the vehicle was speeding and repeatedly flipped. The vehicle was impounded for a safety check, according to police, who are continuing to investigate.

In a statement to Patch, Sachem Superintendent of Schools Christopher Pellettieri said the district was "deeply saddened to hear the tragic loss of one of our High School East students."

The district has enacted its crisis intervention team and officials plan support services for students and staff as needed, according to Pellettieri.

"We extend our most sincere condolences to all the families impacted by this devastating news," he said.

Both Beltramini and Kromhout Auditore were students of William Floyd School District.

"I went to school with Taylor and her older sister for years," Ryleigh Pafitis told Patch. "They were always so kind to everyone and had such outgoing personalities. My heart goes out to all that are affected."

The district posted a statement on its website and Facebook page, addressing the tragic accident.

"It is with tremendous sorrow that we report the passing of two William Floyd students, Taylor Beltramini, a senior at the Floyd Academy, and Landon Kromhout Auditore, a senior at William Floyd High School, who both passed away last night in a car crash," the district told Patch. "Taylor was set to graduate in January and Landon in June. We have reached out to both families to offer any support that they need through this difficult time."

Kromhout Auditore is the second William Floyd High School student to die this year.

In October, Medford residents Tyler Phillips and his sister, Krystal Randolph, were walking in a bike lane in Coram around 7:30 p.m. when a vehicle struck him, police said at the time. Tyler was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and died of his injuries.

The William Floyd School District also said that grief and crisis counselors are available for Floyd Academy and William Floyd High School students, or any student who has been affected by this tragedy.

This story will be updated. Check back later.