Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets to ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Nov. 7 – Jan. 5.
Nearly 900 donations have poured into separate GoFundMe campaigns for two teens injured in the fatal car wreck on Railroad Avenue in West Babylon early Saturday.
The growing support comes amid a significant and positive health update for one of the two victims: Jack Murphy, 18, of Babylon is no longer intubated and is breathing on his on, responsive and trying to speak, according to the GoFundMe campaign created for Murphy and his family. He remains hospitalized at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip.
Like Murphy, Anthony Pagliuca, 16, of West Babylon is being treated for severe injuries. He is receiving care at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore.
Murphy and Pagliuca were passengers in a 2025 Kia Seltos that was slammed into by a 2017 Kia sedan that allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Great East Neck Road just after 1 a.m. Saturday, Suffolk County police said. The driver of the Kia Seltos, Bella Trezza, 17, of Babylon is dealing with grave injuries and is on life support at Good Samaritan, while her brother Austin is being treated at the same hospital for serious injuries.
Riley Goot, 18, of Babylon, a passenger in the Kia Seltos, was killed in the crash. Michael Desmond, 33, of Lindenhurst, who was driving the Kia sedan, also died, police said.
GoFundMe campaigns have also been established for Goot’s family and the Trezzas.
Pagliuca is affectionately known as ‘Pags’ to his friends, states the GoFundMe campaign for the teen and his family.
“[He] is a bright, funny, energetic young man whose life has been changed forever,” states the GoFundMe page.
Family friend Michael Mandelbaum initiated the GoFundMe effort for the Pagliucas to help cover the family’s mounting medical costs and other needs. He noted that Pagliuca, a pitcher on St. Anthony’s High School’s baseball team, has a fighter’s mentality that the teen developed as a baseball pitcher.
“Pags is a pitcher and a darn good one as well … When Pags is on the mound, he battles,” Mandelbaum of West Babylon wrote. “He always wants the ball in big situations and is often called upon to save a game. He will give it his all when he faces a batter and will battle until he can get the out.
“Now Pags faces the most important battle of his life and he needs your help,” he added.
Friends established a GoFundMe for Murphy and his family to help offset “the astronomical medical expenses they have ahead of them,” wrote the fundraiser’s organizer Theresa DePietto of Babylon.
“[Murphy] suffered devastating injuries. One of which caused him to endure a long facial surgery to correct,” state the GoFundMe campaign for the Murphys.
The update given on Murphy’s condition via GoFundMe noted that GoFundIn the update given on Murphy today noted that he “still has a very long road ahead.”
“He continues to receive comprehensive care from the medical team, and the focus will be on addressing all remaining injuries, managing pain, and ensuring his ongoing recovery and rehabilitation,” states the GoFundMe campaign.
Top photos: Anthony Pagliuca, 16, and Jack Murphy, 18 (GoFundMe).
