'If it saves a life, it's well worth it': Suffolk street renamed in memory of Angelica Nappi

In the years since her sister Angelica Nappi died in a 2008 car crash, Nicolette Franzone often avoided the intersection of County Road 101 and Woodside Avenue. That's where Angelica was killed.

Franzone can still feel anxiety driving through similar large intersections, she said. It can trigger memories to that night when a driver whose license had been suspended seven times propelled through a red light and crashed into the car with herself, Angelica and an older friend. 

On Thursday, Franzone and about a dozen family members returned to the site to remember Angelica, who was 14, as a portion of Woodside Avenue bordering East Patchogue and Medford was dedicated as "Angelica Nappi Avenue."

Franzone and Legis. Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) pulled off a black bag to reveal the new sign facing westbound as family members, friends and community leaders applauded. A second sign near Mercury Avenue sits on the eastbound side.

"To be here today to see that this road is being renamed after her, there's really no words to describe what it feels like," said Franzone, whose 2-year-old daughter Fiarenza Angelica shares her sister's name.

Angelica’s family and lawmakers said the street dedication not only honors the teen’s life, but serves as a deterrent to unlawful driving.

Her family advocated for a law Gov. Kathy Hochul signed in December 2023 named Angelica’s Law, which increases penalties for reckless driving and lowers the number of license suspensions needed for a driver to face a felony charge that can include jail time.

The driver responsible for the crash the killed Angelica, Stephen Catalano, was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years probation, Newsday previously reported.

Newsday revisited the circumstances of Angelica's death  earlier this year as part of its "Dangerous Roads" investigation revealing how unlicensed drivers pose a greater risk of causing fatal crashes.

"This day is very emotional," said Dawn Riendeau, Angelica’s mother, describing the street dedication as an "added bonus" following the passing of Angelica’s Law.

Angelica's father, Joseph Nappi, stood alongside Riendeau as she said, "Our daughter Angelica is smiling down from heaven."

Thorne sponsored legislation to rename the street shortly after the law went into effect last year. Lawmakers unanimously approved the bill last December.

"If it saves a life, it’s well worth it," Thorne said.

State Sen. Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) said the sign will help others discover Angelica’s story and "think twice" about driving while intoxicated or with a suspended license.

Assemb. Joseph DeStefano (R-Medford) added, "It reminds us that behind every traffic fatality, there is a name, there is a face and a family that is left to deal with the consequences."

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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