Nassau High Schooler Dies In Crash While Vacationing In Iceland

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — A New Hyde Park student is dead and four of his family members were hurt in a car crash as they vacationed in Iceland. The family were passengers in a vehicle that went off the road and rolled multiple times before landing on its side Saturday on the western side of the island in Snæfellsnes, MBL.is reported. A helicopter and multiple ambulances rushed to the scene.

Zachary Zabatta, who attended high school in Manhasset, died in the crash and his sister Sophia was critically injured, said organizers of a GoFundMe campaign created for the family. The entire family remained hospitalized and relatives don't know when they can return home.

"October 12th, 2019 was a tragic day for the Zabatta family," the post said. "What started out as a family vacation in Iceland turned into unfathomable tragedy."

Zachary was a senior at Saint Mary's High School, which wrote in a Facebook post it lost an "incredible member" of the community.

"During his time at St. Mary’s, Zach was consistently at the top of his class, choosing to take the most challenging AP courses and finding great success in them," the school wrote. "These accomplishments were leading Zach to apply to the most competitive colleges and universities in the world."

Zach was recently trying to become an Eagle Scout and renovated space behind a stage in Marist Hall for his scouting project, the school said.

"Zachary intended to give back to a community that he felt had given so much to him," the Facebook post said. "We are all in shock at this moment. This tragedy is a devastating loss, especially for our young people."

Counselors and clergy members are on campus to offer help to grieving students.

The boy's parents, James and Barbara, and sisters, Gabriella and Sophia, remain overseas recovering from their injuries, the school said.

"In a phone conversation with Mr. Zabatta earlier today, Principal Buckley promised we would travel this difficult road with his family every step of the way," officials wrote. "Mr. Zabatta asked that we share with you his concerns for our students in this grieving process and wants us all to make sure that we are addressing our emotional and spiritual needs, as Zach would wish to us all to do."

Richard Nicolello, the Nassau County legislature's presiding officer, said in a statement to Patch he joins the New Hyde Park community in mourning the teen's loss of Zachary, who was looking forward to finishing up his senior year and heading to college next fall.

"My heart goes out to Zachary's friends and family as they mourn his loss, and pray for the full recovery of his family also injured in the accident," Nicolello said.

The GoFundMe account seeks to raise money to help cover the family's financial needs, including logistical expenses associated with staying in Iceland, medical and transportation bills, and funeral costs. As of Tuesday morning, the campaign had raised more than $52,000 of its $75,000 goal.

Any additional money will be used to create a scholarship fund in Zachary's name.

Patch has reached out to organizers of the GoFundMe campaign and will update when we hear back.