Smithtown Loses Four Aspiring Young Women to Drunk Driver
Our town was devastated with loss over the weekend, when four beautiful young women with full lives ahead of them, were killed when their limo was struck by an oncoming Pick-Up truck. Lauren Baruch, Brittney Schulman, Stephanie Belli and Amy Grabina were bright aspiring young women, who planned a girls day out at the Vineyards with four other friends. During a special press conference yesterday, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota confirmed details of the tragic timeline and answered questions from reporters
Acting responsibly, the group of young women chose to hire a limousine service as transportation for a celebration out east. After a fun-filled day visiting Long Island Vodka Distillery in Baiting Hollow followed by Vineyard 48 in Cutchogue, the group was ready to return home to Smithtown. The limo driver; Carlos Pino, headed further east to make a U-turn on Route 48 and Depot Lane in Cutchogue when Southold resident; Steve Romeo T-boned the limousine with his pickup truck at approximately 5:15 P.M. Saturday evening.
Three of the girls were pronounced dead at the scene. The fourth was pronounced at Peconic Bay Medical Center, Southold. Elwood resident, Joelle Dimonit underwent surgery and has been listed in stable condition. Both Olga Lipets of Brooklyn and Setauket resident Alicia Arundel have been transported to Stony brook Hospital. Olga Lipets has been listed in fair condition, where Arundel is listed in good condition. Melissa Crai of Scarsdale is still listed in Critical condition. Both the limo driver and the pickup truck driver were treated for minor injuries.
During yesterday’s press conference, Spota confirmed that the pickup truck driver, Romeo, waited at the scene for 15 minutes before leaving to climb over a fence. When a police officer was alerted he found Romeo approximately 1000 feet away. He was brought back to the scene where he received field test and was taken to the hospital to be examined and checked for minor injuries. Romeo was charged with driving while intoxicated. Spota reiterated that the investigation was still in the preliminary phases and would not elaborate on rumors of additional charges.
Limo Crash Victims Funeral Information
Lauren R. Baruch
No visitation Funeral Mass to be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 11:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church: 59 Church St., Kings Park 631-269-6635
Amy Grabina
A service for Amy will be held at Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 12 p.m.
Gutttermans: 8000 Jericho Tpk., Woodbury
Brittany Schulman
Wake: Wednesday, July 22, 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. The Branch Funeral Home 190 E Main St. in Smithtown
Funeral: Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph RCC Kings Park: 9 Church St. in Kings Park
Stephanie Belli
Visiting: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 7-9 P.M. – Thursday, July 23, 2015 2-4 P.M. & 7-9 P.M.
Funeral: Friday, July 24, 2015 11:30 A.M.
Saint Joseph RC Church: Church Street, Kings Park
* In memory of Stephanie’s life the family has set up a scholarship in her honor. Donations are graciously accepted to: FSC Alumni Association c/o Stephanie Belli Memorial Scholarship
Farmingdale State College Alumni Association
2350 Broadhollow Road
Ward Hall, Room 10
Farmingdale, NY 11735