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.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has launched a study into the potential dangers at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Great East Neck Road in West Babylon, following the deadly crash that occurred early Saturday morning.
Romaine’s office confirmed to Greater Long Island today that action is being taken to address the intersection’s safety concerns.
“A study has been initiated by the county and we will review the findings when it is completed,” a spokesperson for the county executive said.
The move comes in response to the two-car wreck that claimed two lives and left four others with severe injuries. The collision involved a 2017 Kia sedan, driven by Michael Desmond, 33, of Lindenhurst, which ran a red light while traveling east on Railroad Avenue, police said. Desmond’s vehicle struck a 2025 Kia Seltos traveling south on Great East Neck Road, police said.
Desmond died in the crash. Riley Goot, 18, of Babylon, a passenger in the Seltos, also was killed. The driver of the Seltos, Bella Trezza, 17, of Babylon, remains on life support at Good Samaritan University Hospital. Her brother Austin, 18, is also hospitalized there with serious injuries.
Two other passengers in the Seltos, Jack Murphy, 18, of Babylon, and Anthony Pagliuca, 16, of West Babylon, are being treated for serious injuries at Good Samaritan and South Shore University Hospital, respectively.
The incident prompted Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer to renew his request from this summer for a county review of the intersection’s safety. Schaffer has also forwarded a letter from West Babylon attorney Michael Rosenberger to the county, formally requesting safety improvements.
Rosenberger’s letter highlighted longstanding concerns about the intersection, citing “poor sight lines, speeding motorists, and the failure to abide by traffic control devices.” He suggested several potential safety measures, including speed humps, speed cushions, and rumble strips.
On Aug. 5, a 63-year-old Farmingdale man died when his car veered off the road at the intersection and crashed into trees, police said. Though it is believed that the man likely suffered a medical condition before the crash, police said.
Schaffer noted that he has received numerous emails from community members expressing concerns about the intersection since Saturday’s crash. He said he has previously offered the assistance of the town’s traffic highway staff to the county for investigating possible safety improvements.
Top photos: Intersection of Railroad Avenue and Great East Neck Road in West Babylon (Google Maps) and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (Facebook).
