Andrew Salgado, 14, of Miller Place, dies more than a month after bicycle crash
The Miller Place community had rallied in support of Andrew Salgado and his family after the teen was critically injured in a crash in March. Credit: Rick Kopstein
A Miller Place teenager has died more than one month after he was critically injured in a crash while riding his bicycle, Suffolk County police confirmed Friday.
Andrew Salgado, 14, died Thursday, police said. His family could not be reached for comment.
In an Instagram post, Salgado’s brother, Joseph, described the North Country Road Middle School student as his “built-in best friend” and reflected on years of shared memories, from building stuffed animal forts to playing video games together.
“You are the strongest kid I have ever met in my entire life,” he wrote in the post, which was written as a letter to his brother. “You fought every second of every day and you don’t deserve this outcome.”
Salgado was riding his bike along the shoulder of Route 25A in Miller Place on March 24 when he collided with the side door of a truck merging into a turning lane, police have said. After striking the vehicle, Salgado fell from his bicycle and was run over by the truck’s rear passenger-side tires, police said.
The driver remained at the scene and called 911. Salgado was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, police said.
Alana Gomory, a physical education teacher at North Country Road Middle School, told Newsday that Salgado was an energetic and athletic kid. He was a member of the district’s varsity soccer team and was “well liked” by his peers, she said.
“I’m so upset for everyone, for watching these kids lose their best friend, their classmate, someone they grew up with. It's heartbreaking just to watch,” Gomory said. “It's really been a tough month.”
Gomory said the Miller Place community has come together to support Salgado and his family since the collision. Students and teachers wore blue ribbons and stickers with a soccer ball, a heart and Salgado’s jersey number, 44, during their recent class trip to Washington, D.C., she said.
In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Seth Lipshie said the district was “deeply saddened” by the loss and extended condolences to Salgado’s family and friends.
“As a community, we are deeply affected by this loss, and we recognize the impact it has on our students, staff, and families,” Lipshie said in a statement to Newsday. “We are committed to supporting one another in the days ahead by providing counseling and support services.”
He added, “We ask that you keep the family and our school community in your thoughts. Together, we will honor the memory of Andrew with compassion and care.”
A online fundraiser started on behalf of Salgado’s family to support his medical care and related expenses has so far generated $120,805.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place, according to an obituary. A funeral is scheduled for St. Louis de Montfort R.C. Church in Sound Beach on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
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