Dad Of Woman Killed In Limo Crash Hopes To Stop Future Tragedy

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Two days before a fundraiser organized in memory of four young women killed in a horrific Cutchogue limo crash in 2015, which will help to provide scholarships in their beautiful daughters' memories, the girls' parents' hearts are filled with emotion.

The first annual "Running 4 Our Angels" event will be held Sunday at Smithtown West High School. A street will be dedicated in Smithtown to the young women after the race.

Paul Shulman spoke to Patch about the event, almost three years after the dark day that changed all their lives forever.

"The whole process is a whirlwind of emotions," Shulman said. "Also, it's bittersweet because what Smithtown is doing is amazing — but I wish none of this had to be done."

He added, "Everyone connected with this event has been incredible. I just hope it brings light to this and maybe gets the changes we are looking for so this doesn't happen again to anyone else."

When asked why the families decided to organize the race, Shulman said, "Their lives matter." He added: "What this means to me, as well as to the families, is keeping our daughters' memories alive. The scholarships will go to deserving students so they can have school a little easier."

According to a flyer announcing the event, "The Lawzie Marigold Foundation is proud to sponsor the First Annual "Running 4 Our Angels" 5K Run/Walk to remember and honor the lives" of Lauren Baruch, 24, and Brittney Shulman, 23, both of Smithtown, Stephanie Belli, 23, of Kings Park, and Amy Grabina, 23, of Commack, whose lives were taken from on July 18, 2015 in the Cutchogue limousine accident.

All proceeds will be distributed to the Lawzie Marigold Foundation, the Amy Rose Grabina Foundation, the Schulman family and the Belli family in the form of a scholarship of their choice.

To register online, click here.

According to Felicia Baruch on the website, The Lawzie Marigold Foundation was founded in April, 2016 as a not for profit organization to honor the young women.

Injured in the accident were Joelle M. Dimonte, 25, of Ellwood, Melissa Angela Crai, 23, of Scarsdale, Alicia Arundel, 24, of Setauket, and Olga Lipets, 24, of Brooklyn.

In Cutchogue, a heavy cloak of grief lingers as residents carry the weight of the crash forever in their hearts — and continue to ask Suffolk County for a green turning arrow at Depot Lane.

Faded photographs and flowers have, for months, marked the spot on Route 48 and Depot Lane in Cutchogue where four young women died after their limo was T-boned in the horrific crash.

Residents have echoed similar thoughts about how the memories of the worst tragedy they've ever witnessed, continue to haunt.

And, many say, while almost three years has passed, not enough has been done to prevent another tragedy from happening again. Although Suffolk County installed a flashing traffic signal as part of an already planned project after the crash, many say a green turning arrow is critical.

After the tragic accident, many implored Suffolk County to install a traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 48 and Depot Lane.

However, so far, Suffolk County has not agreed.

When asked about the progress regarding the green turning signal last July, William Hillman, chief engineer at Suffolk County Department of Public Works, said, "After conducting a complete and thorough analysis of the intersection, County DPW has determined that a left turn signal is not warranted based upon best practices and engineering standards. While this accident was a tragedy, the department is constantly reviewing and implementing ways on how best to enhance the safety of our roads across Suffolk County."

Suffolk County Legis. Al Krupski, however, vowed last year to continue to advocate for the green arrow and to work with county officials to see what else can be done.

"They are continuing to evaluate, and I will continue to urge them to keep evaluating this," he said, adding that there are many lights along County Road 48, with accidents also in other areas of town," he said at the time.

On Friday, Krupski said he hadn't heard any news of the turning arrow being installed, but would investigate. He said it was a prudent idea and his constituents believe it would make navigating Route 48 easier.

"I'm not a traffic engineer but when there is a green arrow it gives people direction," he said.

Krupski has said the larger issue of distracted driving needs to be addressed across the board. "It's just a matter of people paying attention when they drive, to avoid any kind of tragedy like this. People need to slow down and pay attention."

Meanwhile, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley has said the green turning arrow "would help at this location," as would better sight distances for the turning lanes.

"However, without a major overhaul of this roadway, that will probably not happen."

The bigger issue, Flatley said, is that even with a green turning arrow, limos will still continue to make legal U-turns at the location. The limos, he said, "are just too long and need to drive around the block to head west."

The lack of a left-hand turning arrow has long ignited an outcry from residents.

Cutchogue resident Susan Tyler said the memories of that dark day remain: "I think about it every time I make that U-turn. Not that I wasn't cautious before, but I don't take even the slightest chance if there is a car in the turn lane coming from the other way. There has been a time or two I've waited an entire light."

A day that haunts

On the morning of July 18, 2015, eight young women "hired a limousine to spend a fun filled day on the North Fork of Long Island for wine tasting," Baruch wrote on the event's page. "As you know or may not know, only four young ladies made it home — Lauren, Amy, Brittney and Stephanie did not. They were taken from us in a horrific limousine crash."

Each of the four families has chosen to honor their daughter by giving yearly scholarships to worthy students.

"The Lawzie Marigold Foundation, the Amy Rose Grabina Foundation, the Stephanie Belli Whisperettes Scholarship and the Schulman family provide yearly scholarships to students from their alma maters. For the past two years I have wanted to sponsor an event in remembrance of our daughters, who have given so much in their short lifetime," Baruch wrote.

Last year, Shulman also led the "Lauren, Amy, Brittney, Stephanie," or LABS, petition. The parents organized "so no other family has to walk in our shoes," he said. LABS, he said, is a petition to "bring awareness and justice to the horrific event that occurred."

The crash took place at the intersection of County Road 48 and Depot Lane, "when the driver of a stretch limousine made a U-turn on a double lane road where no signal was indicated for oncoming traffic. As the driver made the U-turn, an oncoming driver with limited time to react, collided with the limousine, which ended in complete disarray," the petition states. "A day in which eight women decided to be safe and take what was supposed to be safe and reliable transportation, turned into the complete opposite. . . Eight women went to the wineries for a fun, exciting day, and only four came home . . . only to begin what will be the toughest journey of their lives."

Urging changes

The years since that dark day have been filled with pain and grief for the heartbroken families left behind.

"It is still a struggle to come to a decision on who is held responsible for this accident," the petition says. "Every single day, the families, friends, loved ones, and unrelated individuals are reminded of the accident and the details involving the loss of 4 beautiful women. This petition is to advocate not only for Lauren, Amy, Brittney, and Stephanie, but for anyone who considers limousines as a reliable transportation option."

The parents, with an eye toward preventing future tragedies, list a number of points they believe can save lives. To view that petition, click here.

And, they are unified in their cry for a green turning arrow at the traffic signal, despite the fact that Suffolk County has not yet installed one — and has said they have no present plans to do so.

Community cloaked in mourning

The limousine, driven by Carlos Pino and owned by Ultimate Class Limousine, Inc., was transporting the young women touring local wineries ,former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said; at approximately 5:11 p.m, the limo, while making a U-turn at the intersection of Route 48 and Depot Lane in Cutchogue, was broadsided by a pickup truck driven by Steven Romeo.

Spota said at the time that the DA's office planned to appeal the decision of a judge to throw out the indictment and dismiss charges against Pino.

Romeo pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in April, 2017.

The photo is the last one taken of all eight women before the deadly limo crash took the lives of four; photo used courtesy of Paul Shulman.

Priscilla Korb contributed to this story.