Update, June 16, 5:30 p.m.: The driver of the vehicle involved in a Sunday evening crash in Springs that killed a 19-year-old passenger is “devastated” and has been “fully cooperative with law enforcement,” his attorney, Melissa Aguanno, said after his arraignment in East Hampton Town Justice Court Monday on charges that included driving while intoxicated.
Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo-Fuertes, 18, who lives in Moriches but graduated from East Hampton High School, was arrested Sunday at the scene of the accident on Old Stone Highway and additionally charged with aggravated D.W.I. with a child passenger less than 16 and endangering the welfare of a child. The 2009 Toyota Camry he was driving left the road near Deep Six Drive, "overtunred, and struck a tree," according to police.
An East Hampton High School student, Scarleth S. Urgiles, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another East Hampton student, Jennifer Amon Barrera, 18, "was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she is listed in serious but stable condition," police said in a press release.
Also injured in the crash and taken to the hospital were Michael Puente, 19, Melanie Mendez, 19, Carlos Pinos, 18, and "two juveniles ages 15 and 17," all of East Hampton.
At his arraignment Mr. Barrionuevo-Fuertes was reportedly sobbing and shaking so hard that he had to sit down.
“His family does want to say that they are extremely sorry to the person who lost their life,” Ms. Aguanno said. “Everyone is devastated, this is an absolute tragedy.” She said he had “no priors” and that “this was really life-changing for him.” He attended a BOCES law enforcement program as a sophomore, had taken the test for the Army and Marines, and “he intended to go that path,” she told reporters. Some of the passengers were his friends, but he did not know all of them, she said.
"There are no words that can fully express the sorrow we feel for the family, friends, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking loss," the high school principal, Sara Smith, said in an emailed message to families on Monday morning. The school's mental health professionals and counselors from the Family Service League were made available to students on Monday, which was the final day of classes this school year. Many students chose to speak with someone right away, while others may choose to do so in the days and weeks ahead. "We want to remind everyone that these support services will continue to be available for as long as needed."
"Our community is heartbroken," East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said in a statement on Monday. "We are praying for those who were injured, and we are standing with their families as they face the unimaginable."
"Your children matter to all of us, and so do you," Ms. Burke-Gonzalez said. She thanked school officials and staff for responding "quickly and compassionately to support our students during this incredibly difficult time," and also thanked the Springs Fire Department, the Springs, Amagansett, and East Hampton Village ambulance crews, and the officers of the East Hampton Town Police Department who responded to the crash.
Update, June 16, 9:15 a.m.: East Hampton Town police reported this morning that the East Hampton High School student killed in a car accident last night on Old Stone Highway in Springs was a 19-year-old passenger, Scarleth S. Urgiles of East Hampton. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another passenger, Jennifer Amon Barrera, 18, also of East Hampton, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. She is listed in serious but stable condition. Both were extricated from the vehicle by Springs Fire Department responders.
Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo-Fuertes, who is 18 and lives in Moriches, "was operating a 2009 Toyota Camry southbound on Old Stone Highway near Deep Six Drive when the vehicle left the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree," police said in a release.
He was arrested at the scene and taken to police headquarters in Wainscott. He will be arraigned on charges of driving while intoxicated, aggravated D.W.I. with a child passenger under the age of 16, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Also injured in the crash and taken to the hospital were Michael Puente, 19, Melanie Mendez, 19, Carlos Pinos, 18, and "two juveniles ages 15 and 17." All live in East Hampton.
The car was impounded and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Originally, June 16, 8 a.m.: An East Hampton High School student was killed and several other people were injured in a car accident on Sunday evening on Old Stone Highway in Springs.
As of Monday at 7:30 a.m., the road remained closed from "Accabonac to [the] Springs School vehicle entrance while detectives continue to investigate," the East Hampton Town Police Department said in a post on Facebook early Monday. "The school access is open and accessible from the north side," police said, and traffic control officers are on hand to help with morning school traffic.
Police have not released additional information about the accident, but Adam Fine, the East Hampton School District superintendent, confirmed the high school students' involvement in a email to parents on Monday at 7:25 a.m., just before the start of final day of classes at the high school this year.
"There are no words to properly express the feelings of loss and grief that we feel at this time," Mr. Fine said. The high school will have grief counselors available throughout the day, and parents have been told to contact the school if their children need help "to navigate this difficult period."
Five ambulances responded to the accident, including units from the Springs, Amagansett, and East Hampton Village departments.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
With Reporting by Baylis Greene, Denis Hartnett, and Carissa Katz
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Correction: The initial police report on the accident incorrectly spelled the surname of the 18-year-old who was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital after the accident. According to the principal of the East Hampton High School, she is Jennifer Amon Barrera.
