Over $45K Raised For 3 Teens Who Died In Suffolk Crash

HOLTSVILLE, NY — More than $45,000 has been raised by several Long Island communities to financially support the families of three teenagers who died in a car crash last week.

Friends, peers and neighbors of 16-year-old Cem Gunes, 17-year-old Taylor Beltramini, of Moriches, and 18-year-old Landon Kromhout Auditore, of Mastic, donated a total of $45,848 through three separate GoFundMe fundraisers.

Around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Gunes, a Sachem High School East student, was driving a 2009 Infinity G37 northbound on Nicolls Road with Beltramini and Kromhout Auditore, when the vehicle left the road near Division Street and crashed into a wooded area, according to authorities.

The three died at the scene, police said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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."

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."

Visiting hours were scheduled Wednesday for Beltramini from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral service is planned Thursday at 10 a.m. at Robertaccio Funeral Home, located at 495 Main St. in Center Moriches.

According to his GoFundMe, Gunes was "a loving son and friend to many others," who loved to swim and play soccer.

"He touched the hearts of everyone around him," the description said. "Unfortunately, he can no longer leave a positive impact on others."

Visitation hours for Kromhout Auditore will take place on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moloney-Sinnicksons Funeral Home, located at 203 Main Street Center Moriches. His funeral service will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, located across the street at Moloney-Sinnicksons. He will then be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

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

Patch has reached out to the creators of each GoFundMe for comment.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.