Authorities say 17-year-old David O'Brien was driving a 1998 Ford Mustang southbound on North Wellwood Avenue near Lenox Street when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant and then a tree at approximately 5:20 a.m.
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The front seat passenger, 16-year-old Joseph Galdorisi, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a female backseat passenger died at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.
Galdorisi's friends and family gathered in shock at the scene Monday night, saying the teen never had a chance to live his life.
"I have no tears to cry right now," his sister said. "I've been crying all day. I'm sick to my stomach. He was, you know, a little quiet kid. But if you get to know him, he would make you smile and laugh."
O'Brien and another backseat passenger, 16-year-old Daniel Ozarowski, were also transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, where they were admitted for treatment of serious injuries.
Investigators are trying to figure out what caused O'Brien to lose control just before dawn, on a road where neighbors say cars frequently speed.
It is unclear if drugs or alcohol might have been a factor. What is clear, however, is an entire community is in anguish.
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Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call Major Case at 631-852-6553."