One Dead - SCPD Investigating MV Accident

Update - Police have identified Veronica Omerza, 80, of 2 Janet Lane, Commack, as the woman killed in the three-car motor vehicle crash in Smithtown . 

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a 80-year-old Commack woman in Smithtown today.  

Collin Smith, 22, was driving a 2003 Ford Econoline van eastbound on Jericho Turnpike, 1000 feet west of Meadow Road, when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed over the yellow dividing line and struck two vehicles that were traveling westbound on Jericho Turnpike at 4:54 p.m.  

Smith, of 629 Landing Road, Kings Park, first struck a 1999 Mercury driven by the 80-year-old woman and then hit a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Penelope Kouklakis, 38.  

The 80-year-old woman, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown where she was pronounced dead at 5:53 p.m.   A 90-year-old female passenger in her car was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.   Kouklakis, of 33 Eastover Drive, East Northport, was also transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.    

All three vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing.   Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

In Kings Park- Take A Hike Or Bike

By Erica Jackson

 

Architect Mark Mancini with Hike and Bike rendering (photo F. Mercuri)An abandoned rail spur that once carried coal and supplies to the long shutdown Kings Park Psychiatric Center will soon be transformed into a hike and bike trail for the community.  Recently, the Kings Park Civic Association was granted $17,500 in funding from Suffolk County to improve the spur as an economic development project.

 

According to Sean Lehmann, president of the Kings Park Civic Association, the funds came in the form of a ten percent matching grant with the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation providing the matching $2,500.

 

The trail, said Lehmann will begin at the Kings Park municipal parking lot and run along the spur, connecting to an existing trail that ends at the Nissequogue River State Park.  “We are hoping the trail will connect the park to the business area and more residents will use it,” said Lehmann.

 

Most importantly, Lehmann says it is hoped that the trail will drum up business for the Kings Park business district by motivating community members to grab a bite to eat at one of Kings Park’s local eateries and then meander through the new trail or visa versa.

 

Mike Rosato, head of the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, agreed: “The importance of this hike and bike trail is that it will help benefit the downtown district. It will connect the two most important assets of the Kings Park Community — the Nissequogue River State Park and downtown.”John Kowalchyk addresses NRSP Foundation (photo F. Mercuri)

 

Aside from the possible economic benefits to downtown businesses, Legislator Lynne Nowick, who helped procure the funding said, “With so many people trying to be more active by walking and bicycling to improve their health, having an expanded Hike and Bike trail will offer more opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy some fantastic scenery and pastoral settings.  By bringing more people to the trail, we can encourage more people to visit the Nissequogue State Park and spend time outdoors exercising and experiencing the natural beauty of this area.”

 

With the money in hand, Lehmann said architectural plans for the trail are already in the works.  Smithtown architect Mark Mancini volunteered to draw up some renderings for the trail. His vision for the trail includes an archway that will welcome community members to the trail.  “I want to give it a grand appearance,” said Mancini. The trail will also feature benches and historical signs that will be donated by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce.

 

The construction of the trail, including the clearing of debris and the addition of buffers that will separate nearby residences from the trail is expected to be performed by Town of Smithtown employees. The town, says Lehmann, has been charged with overseeing the disbursement of the grant funding.

 

Work cannot start; however, said Lehmann until the State of New York, which has ownership of the old rail spur, grants an easement to the Town of Smithtown for the path.  That easement is expected to be approved in the near future, said Lehmann.

It is hoped that the trail will be ready for use by community members by next summer or spring.

 

Once complete, Rosato said his organization will begin working on the next leg of the trail, which he intends to run the entire perimeter of the Nissequogue River State Park. That project, however, he said won’t be coming to fruition any time soon. Rosato says it will depend on the completion of a Master Plan for the Nissequogue River State park, which has been put on hold by the state pending budgetary issues.

 

Commissioner Carol Ash - Resigns Position

Governor David A. Paterson announced that Carol Ash will resign her position as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) effective October 13.

“Over the past four years Commissioner Ash has led her agency with dedication, integrity and professionalism,” Governor Paterson said. “Despite these extraordinarily challenging times, the Commissioner presided the over construction and opening of the remarkable Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, a very successful U.S. Open Golf Championship at Bethpage State Park and initiated an effort to rebuild and restore the agency’s aging infrastructure.”

During Commissioner Ash’s term more than $200 million was invested in roadways, bathhouses, historic structures and electrical and plumbing systems. She promoted public-private partnerships and encouraged strong relationships with Friends Groups and non-for-profits. She also saw visitation rates climb, as more than 56 million people were welcomed at the State’s 178 parks and 35 historic sites in 2009.

Commissioner Carol Ash said: “I offer my sincere thanks to Governor Paterson for the opportunity to serve the people of New York. I am also deeply honored to have had the privilege to lead a dedicated and resourceful workforce. Even in these trying times, their commitment to our parks and historic sites has resulted in better experiences for millions of park patrons and I am proud of their collective efforts. Our State is home to the finest State park system in the country. Our wonderful natural, recreational and historic treasures continue to be a source of great enjoyment, pride and economic activity throughout the State. The opportunity to lead this agency was among the greatest professional experiences of my life.”

Governor Paterson appointed Andy Beers to the position of Acting Commissioner. Mr. Beers has served as OPRHP Executive Deputy Commissioner since 2007. He has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency, as well as overseeing the continuing efforts to revitalize the State parks system. Prior to serving as Executive Deputy Commissioner, Beers served as Deputy State Director at the Nature Conservancy. He received his B.A. from Colgate University and his M.S. from Cornell University.

Motor Vehicle Crash in Hauppauge Leaves Two Dead

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed two men in Hauppauge this evening.

Frank Rizzo, 30, was driving a 2008 Lexus eastbound on Veterans Memorial Highway, east of Northfield Road, in Hauppauge, when he apparently lost control of the vehicle and struck two trees at 5:10 p.m. The only passenger in the vehicle, Joseph DiFiore, 30, of Washington Township, New Jersey, was ejected from the Lexus.

DiFiore was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Rizzo, of 111 Deer Valley Road, Nesconset, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

‘Cat Lady’ Terrorizes Horse Enthusiasts At Blydenburg County Park

By Erica Jackson

 

Sharyn Guzzi’s Message Board on LongIslandEquine.com has been inundated with a thread of messages indicating a fear among horse riders at Blydenburg County Park in Smithtown.  The messages all relate to alleged attacks by a lipstick-wearing woman who is dressed in a cat suit.  The woman, the posts say, accosts fellow riders on the trails by whipping their horses and trying to knock them off their horses. One post reads: “I have had my share of being attacked in the park when I had my percheron (breed of horse) on the trail. She tried hitting my horse with her dressage whip and also tried running me into a fence.”  Another says, “I have been run down by her a few times in the park, so just a warning: she will not slow down or stop! Just canter right by. She actually hit my horse with her dressage whip because we came so close.”And yet another, “Whoever does not think this is really happening is very wrong.  Everyone is afraid to press charges.  That is why this will continue. It is very sad that we must wait for someone to get hurt.”

 

Guzzi, who is a real estate agent at Long Island Horse Properties, says people have not only been posting to her site about the woman, but have been calling her office constantly about her.  

 

 “I sold her the house she lives in, so I guess that’s why people are calling me about it,” said Guzzi,  “or maybe it’s because we are the only ones selling horse properties.”Either way, Guzzi says horse enthusiasts have a fear about ridding at Blydenburg County Park which features 627 acres, an extensive bridle path system, practice rings and a parking lot off New Mill Road that offers space for horse trailers. Guzzi said that she has heard numerous stories regarding the woman, some comments taking place at horse shows.  “People really feel intimidated,” she said.

 

As to the alleged attacks at Blydenburg County Park, Tracy Bellone, deputy commissioner for the Suffolk County Parks Department, confirmed that a woman on horseback by the name of Wendy Kuno-Istica was arrested by park police at Blydenburg Park on August 21.  Bellone, said park police had to subdue her when she failed to cooperate and barricaded officers with her horse.

 

Kuno-Istica, said Bellone faces numerous charges, including failure to follow park rules and regulations, failure to adhere to park notices such as those pertaining to alcohol and hours.  She also said Kuno-Istica has had numerous complaints filed against her from park-users who are afraid to use the park because of her.

 

Kuno-Istica is due to appear in court the second week in October. Bellone said she has been banned from the park, pending the outcome of the charges.

 

Kuno-Istica could not be reached for comment as of press time.