Green Turning Arrow Could be Coming To Traffic Signal Where Young Women Lost Lives in Route 48 Limo Crash

NORTH FORK, NY - The voices of the public could soon be heard in regard to their pleas for a green turning arrow on the new traffic signal installed at the scene of last July’s fatal limo crash on Route 48 in Cutchogue.

After the tragic accident, which took the lives of four young women and left four others with severe injuries, many implored Suffolk County to install a traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 48 and Depot Lane.

The limo was T-boned as the driver tried to make a U-turn and was hit by Steve Romeo, 55, of Peconic, who’d been heading west in his pickup on Route 48.

But, despite the fact that a traffic signal was later installed on Depot Lane — no green lefthand turning arrow was installed, igniting an outcry from residents.

On Wednesday, Suffolk County Legis. Al Krupski said a green turning arrow could be coming soon.

“There’s been lots of talk but nothing has happened formally yet,” he said.

Krupski said residents who feel a green turning arrow should be installed on the traffic signal should send written letters and emails to his office, to add to those that already been sent. Then, he said, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works will review the matter.

It’s possible to add a green turning arrow, Krupski said. ”We got it added in Mattituck, on Wickham Avenue,” he said.

Cutchogue resident Susan Tyler, who lives near the accident site, believes the turning arrow is critical: “Having a ‘yield on green’ means you are relying on the common sense and judgement of drivers, which, as we have seen, is severely lacking. It’s really no different than having no light at all. It makes no sense to me. If there were a green turn arrow, at least there would be no oncoming traffic for the morons driving over-sized vehicles who will continue to attempt U-turns that they shouldn’t be making.”

Legal proceedings continue

Meanwhile, the many legal proceedings commenced after the tragedy are making their way through the court system.

This week, the Town of Southold received notice regarding the legal proceedings filed by Steven Baruch, whose daughter, Lauren Baruch, 24, of Smithtown, died in the accident. Baruch, represented by Cutchogue attorney Bob Sullivan filed the notice of claim in August against Southold Town, Suffolk County, Carlos Pino, the driver of the limo, Ultimate Class Limousine, Inc., Romeo Dimon Marine Services, Inc., and Romeo.

The notice received this week stated that Romeo Dimon Marine Services, Inc., represented by David F. Kluepfel of Cascone & Kluepfel, LLP of Garden City, was denying allegations in Romeo’s cross claims.

However, in a phone interview Wednesday, Kluepfel said Romeo has not asserted any cross-claims against Dimon Marine Services, Inc.; the denial of the cross claims, which do not exist, had been filed in error, he said.

Currently, Kluepfel said, the lawsuit filed by the estate of Lauren Baruch is still in its preliminary stages, with no depositions yet.

Notices of claim have been filed by the families of all four women who died tragically in the crash, as well as by the four young women who sustained severe injuries. Pino has also filed a notice of claim.

Romeo was initially charged with driving while intoxicated after the crash. However, toxicology results later showed that his blood alcohol level was less than the legal limit at .066.