Candlelight vigil for victims of Long Island limousine crash
KINGS PARK, N.Y. (WABC) -- The four young women killed in the Long Island crash of a limousine and a pickup truck were honored at a candlelight vigil.
Elected officials and family members attended the community gathering Wednesday night at the Smithtown High School West athletic field.
Newsday says three of the victims- Stephanie Belli, Brittney Schulman and Lauren Baruch - graduated from Smithtown. The fourth, Amy Grabina, graduated from Commack High School.
Eight friends were in the limousine after a day touring eastern Long Island's wine country on July 18. The vehicle was slammed broadside by a pickup truck while making a U-turn at an intersection along Route 48 in Cutchogue.
The last of the victims was laid to rest Friday.
Funeral services were held in Kings Park for Stephanie Belli. She was 23 years old and from Kings Park.
For many of the mourners, it was their fourth funeral in four days. Family and friends wore purple to remember a woman with a beautiful smile who lavished love on all who knew her.
Four women in the limo survived, along with the drivers of both vehicles.
The women were reportedly celebrating a birthday and visited a nearby winery on Long Island's North Fork. They had hired the limousine for their wine-tasting trip to avoid the risks of drinking and driving.
The driver of the pickup truck, 55-year-old Steven Romeo of Southold, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Police said he tried to leave the scene of the crash.
The driver of the limo has told investigators that he didn't see the truck when he tried to make the U-turn, but prosecutors said that an eyewitness saw the limo turn directly into the path of the oncoming pickup.
The investigation is continuing.
(Some information from the Associated Press.)
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