Siblings and two others fight for their lives after accident in which their friend died

WEST BABYLON, NY (Gray News) – Four young New Yorkers are fighting for their lives after they were hit by a car on their way home from a party, killing one of their friends.

Bella Trezza, 17, picked up her brother, 18-year-old Austin Trezza, and some friends from a party in West Babylon around 1 a.m. Saturday. On the way home, another driver ran a red light and crashed into her car, according to police, WCBS reports.

Riley Goot, 18, died in the accident, while the Trezza siblings, 18-year-old Jack Murphy and 16-year-old Anthony Pagliuca, were all hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to an online fundraiser, family members and community members held vigils on both Sunday and Monday evenings following the incident that “turned countless lives upside down.”

“I just want everyone to keep saying 'Goot,' his nickname that everyone loved, and that we don't give up on everyone else just because one is lost,” Goot's sister told WCBS at Sunday's vigil.

Goot is described as an “amazing young man” and a “ray of hope” on a GoFundMe campaign for his family. He graduated from high school last year.

Bella Trezza, a high school student and aspiring nurse, is on a ventilator after suffering severe brain trauma in the accident. Her outlook is not good, according to a GoFundMe campaign for her family. She is described as a “bright ray of sunshine.”

“She is a sweetheart and one of the kindest people I have ever met. She brings joy to everyone's day,” friend and classmate Ryan Quinn told News 12 Long Island.

Meanwhile, Austin Trezza, a recent high school graduate and volunteer firefighter, is on the mend but still needs to undergo numerous surgeries and rehabilitation, according to GoFundMe. His fellow firefighters were among those who rushed to the scene.

“When the firefighters arrived, they realized that one of the victims was one of our members,” West Babylon Fire Department Chief Steven Kamalic said, according to WABC. “We are praying for all the families.”

This sentiment was shared by others in the community, which was devastated by the fatal accident.

“You just have to love your friends and family. Hug them. Just tell them you love them,” Andrew Mandelbaum, a 12th-grader at West Babylon High, said at Sunday's vigil, according to WCBS.

Fundraisers were also organized for the families of Murphy and Pagliuca, the other two victims of the crash.

According to a report by News 12 Long Island, the 33-year-old driver believed to be responsible for the accident died at the scene.

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