Long Island Car Accident Claims Two Lives
A deadly Long Island car accident involving two brothers has devastated two families in the Huntington area. On June 29, 2013, Kevin and Ray Vega were driving home from the Farmingdale Dave and Buster’s. The brothers were driving separate cars, each with passengers. Eighteen-year-old Ray Vega hit his brother’s car, lost control of his own vehicle, and drove into a tree. Ray was pronounced dead at the scene, while his passenger, Carmen Rivera-Gotay, a 17-year-old, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. No injuries were reported for Kevin Vega and his 21-year-old passenger, Isaias Perez.
Speed a factor in crash
At about 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, the friends were headed north on Walt Whitman Road in Melville. Ray, driving a 1996 Honda, was reportedly speeding in an attempt to pass his brother Kevin, who was driving a 1999 Pontiac. The area is in a 30-mile per hour zone, and police are considering whether the brothers may have been racing each other.
While attempting to pass his brother, Ray Vega sideswiped the Pontiac. He then lost control, hit the curb, and then struck a tree, knocking over the speed limit sign in the process. The Honda was reportedly split in three places, and emergency responders had to extricate Ray and Carmen.
Along with other factors, speed is a major consideration when determining liability in a car accident. The statistics on speed-related vehicular accidents in New York State reflect a disheartening trend. In 2010, the NY DMV reported a total of 28,168 speed-related accidents. The following year, there were 28,147 speed-related accidents in New York, demonstrating only a very slight decrease.
Long Island car accident victims
The family members and friends of the decedents are struggling to cope with their losses. Ray Vega had recently graduated from Huntington High, and was planning to enroll in Suffolk Community College on a pre-med/pre-law track. Friends remember Ray for his cheerful disposition and giving personality. His family is planning to inter him in Puerto Rico.
Carmen Rivera-Gotay was an incoming senior in Huntington High. Carmen was a gifted musician and artist who was considering studying psychology in college. “She is the light of my eye… we were like two peas in a pod,” said Rivera-Gotay’s mother in a statement to CBS New York. The family buried the 17-year-old on July 2nd.
Consulting a New York personal injury lawyer
It is unknown at this time if the family of Rivera-Gotay is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Ray Vega. If they do decide to pursue compensatory damages for the Long Island car accident, reckless driving and speed are likely to be cited in the complaint. Should the family consult a lawyer, the law firm may also investigate whether that stretch of road was adequately designed for safety. One resident who lives near the crash site noted that speeding is a frequent problem on that particular part of the road.
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident or lost a family member, you could be entitled to compensatory damages. Although no amount of money can make up for significant injuries or the loss of a loved one, funds obtained by filing a lawsuit could cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses, and more. To learn whether you’re eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim, schedule a free consultation with The Sanders Firm. Residents of Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, Bronx, or Brooklyn can call 1-800-FAIR-PLAY today.
