Woman Crossing Street To Attend Church Fatally Struck By Car

NORTH PATCHOGUE, NY – A 70-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car while she was crossing a road on her way to a Midnight Mass Christmas morning, police said.

Barbara Rizzi was crossing North Ocean Avenue on her way to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, located at 495 North Ocean Ave. in North Patchogue when she was hit by a 2016 Nissan 4-door sedan being driven northbound by 20-year-old Samantha Reyes at approximately 12:05 a.m.

Rizzi, of North Patchogue, was transported by North Patchogue Rescue Ambulance to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue where she was pronounced dead. Reyes, of Patchogue, was not injured.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. No criminal charges have been filed. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.