State police ID teenager killed in Southern State crash
Emergency workers at the scene of the accident early Saturday on the westbound Southern State Parkway. Credit: Paul Mazza
State Police identified the victim in Saturday's fatal crash on the Southern State Parkway in West Babylon as 17-year-old Osmar Vasquez, a junior at West Babylon High School, according to district officials.
Vasquez, 17, of West Babylon, was the front passenger in a 2009 Nissan Altima being driven by a still-unidentified 16-year-old that was heading west on the parkway about 1:30 a.m. when it veered off the road between exits 36 and 37, authorities said.
The Altima struck some trees and brush on the north shoulder of the parkway and Vasquez was declared dead at the scene, police said.
The driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Authorities did not provide an update on his condition Monday.
Celia Vasquez, the victim's mother, declined an immediate comment, indicating she needed time to grieve.
The identity of the driver is being withheld due to the ongoing investigation, State Police said. West Babylon School District officials said he is also a student at the high school.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family and friends," School District Superintendent Yiendhy Farrelly and West Babylon High Principal Stephen O’Leary wrote in a message to parents and students Monday.
"Today, the high school’s emergency response team met to discuss this tragic event and how we can support our school community."
District psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors will be available for grief counseling for students, faculty and staff, they wrote.
— With Lorena Mongelli
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
