LI Teen Dies When SUV Crashes Into Overpass On Southern State

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Jessica Gonzalez was not driving the SUV in the fatal crash that killed her, as was originally reported by state police. The driver in the crash, Jhonny Chavarria, 20, of Bay Shore has been charged with manslaughter in connection with leaving the scene of the crash.

ISLIP, NY — A 19-year-old Commack teenager died when the SUV she was riding in crashed into the center median and then the overpass on the Southern State Parkway in Islip on the morning of Sept. 18, state police said.

Jessica Gonzalez was the passenger of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe that was traveling eastbound in the right lane, when the vehicle crossed the lanes of traffic and struck the center median guardrail near Exit 40, according to police.

The SUV then struck the overpass, and she was thrown, police said, adding that she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Back in September, police said Gonzalez was alone in the SUV at the time of the crash, but on Tuesday police issued an update noting that after "a comprehensive investigation" by the troopers' Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Identification Unit, and Collision Reconstruction Unit into the collision, investigators determined she was not the driver.

The driver of the SUV has been identified as Jhonny Chavarria, 20, of Bay Shore, police said, adding that he only suffered minor injuries in the crash, then bolted and left Gonzalez, who was his passenger and friend, dead at the scene.

Chavarria was arrested Wednesday "and will now have to answer for his actions," police said.

He was charged with second-degree manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter, as well as leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a fatality, all felonies. He was additionally charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, as well as reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated, all misdemeanors.

District Attorney Ray Tierney called Chavarria's actions "reckless, callous, and irresponsible.”

“Not only did he allegedly drive drunk and crash at a high rate of speed, he demonstrated an utter lack of compassion when he left his passenger to die alone rather than remain at the scene to render aid and seek assistance," he added.

Chavarria was remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility on $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond.

The crash was one of three deadly ones over the weekend of Sept. 18 on Long Island. Two motorcyclists were killed in separate crashes — one in Garden City on Saturday, the other in Islandia on Sunday.

The crash is under investigation and the troopers are asking for witnesses or anyone with any information to call investigators at (631) 756-3300.