College student killed in Shirley car crash

A Stony Brook University student was killed Monday night when her car rear-ended a sport utility vehicle on the William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, Suffolk County police said.

Jeanine Rescigno, 29, of West Sayville was driving south when her 2010 Hyundai Elantra crashed into the rear of a 2006 Hyundai Tucson at Coraci Boulevard about 9:30 p.m., police said.

The driver of the Tucson, Amanda Zawada, 24, of Lake Ronkonkoma, had minor injuries, police said.

Rescigno was pronounced dead at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, police said.

Friends and teachers recalled Rescigno as a tireless go-getter who carried a full school load at Stony Brook while also bartending at Molly's Irish Pub in Brookhaven.

"Everyone's in shock," pub owner Patty Zorzenon said.

"She was a great athlete and musician," said family friend Eileen Peters, who recalled her singing and violin virtuosity. "Just a wonderful and lively girl."

Rescigno transferred to Stony Brook from Suffolk Community College, where she discovered a love of journalism, and was scheduled to graduate this year. She hoped to become a sports reporter, and her drive and maturity distinguished her from her younger classmates, her teachers said.

"She was gutsy, she was focused, she was dedicated and she asked good questions, and you could tell she was going to be fearless," said Fred Bruning, an adjunct journalism instructor and former Newsday reporter.

"She was extremely talented. She was the whole package," said adjunct journalism lecturer Julia C. Mead. "She had an outgoing, charming personality. People would talk to her. They trusted her."

Rescigno's father and brother could not be reached Tuesday to comment.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.

With John Valenti