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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Two 19-year-old friends from Levittown were killed Friday night when the BMW they were passengers in crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed on Old Country Road near Sterling Place in Hicksville, according to Nassau Police. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene after the 2026 white BMW struck a tree and a building around 11:30 p.m.
The 23-year-old male driver, who has not been identified by police, lost control of the vehicle and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment following the crash. Both women suffered severe trauma in the collision, police said. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not indicated whether charges are pending against the driver.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Long Island community has mobilized extensive support for both grieving families through crowdfunding efforts. A GoFundMe campaign for one victim’s family raised $7,000 in less than 15 hours, while a separate fundraising effort for the other victim’s family has drawn $12,000 in donations in just over 19 hours, demonstrating the profound impact both young women had on their community.
One of the victims served as both a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Levittown Fire Department, where she was remembered as “the most selfless and caring person anyone knew.” She was described as “a daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece, friend to all, firefighter, EMT, amazing baker and so much more.” Her family shared that she “never hesitated to stop and help, whether it was a person that needed to talk or to being first to an accident scene.”
The other victim was described by loved ones as “deeply loved” and someone whose sudden loss has left “an immense and unimaginable void.” Her family wrote in their tribute: “Her sudden loss has left an immense and unimaginable void, and our hearts are broken as we try to navigate a world without her.” A friend posted a tribute writing: “She was the brightest light in every room. She had the biggest smile in a sea of frowns and she had a laugh that made everyone laugh along with her.”
The friend continued in her tribute: “You will be truly missed by our family and your friends. It is so hard to imagine a world without you in it. We will always cherish our memories with you and talk about the good times.” The other victim’s family shared that she regularly baked treats for the firehouse, neighbors and an all-women’s shelter for single mothers, noting that she “believed everyone deserved something special and she showed it in her baking.”
According to her family, she took pride in everything she did, from becoming an EMT and first responder to washing her car. “She was our creative flower that bloomed into the beautiful creation that so many of us got to see grow up into an amazing young woman,” her GoFundMe page says. “We will miss you from now till the end of time. We love you in this life and the next.”
One GoFundMe campaign was specifically created to help support the victim’s parents with funeral and memorial expenses, as well as the unexpected costs that come with the loss of their daughter. Memorial services have been scheduled for both young women in the coming week.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on Old Country Road near Sterling Place in Hicksville, a busy east-west arterial road that serves as a major thoroughfare connecting multiple Nassau County communities. Old Country Road carries significant daily traffic volumes as drivers use the route to access the Long Island Expressway and connect between residential areas and commercial districts throughout central Nassau County.
The intersection area where the crash occurred sits in a mixed-use section of Hicksville, with the roadway featuring multiple lanes of traffic in both directions. The specific location near Sterling Place represents a stretch where vehicles frequently make turning movements to access local businesses and residential streets branching off the main thoroughfare.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Nassau Police continue investigating the circumstances that led to the BMW crossing into oncoming traffic before striking the tree and building. Authorities have not released the identity of the 23-year-old driver who was hospitalized following the crash, and no information has been provided regarding potential charges.
Police have not indicated whether speed, impairment, or other factors contributed to the driver losing control of the vehicle. The ongoing investigation will likely examine all aspects of the crash, including vehicle condition, road conditions at the time, and driver behavior leading up to the collision.
Broader Impact
Memorial services will provide the community opportunities to honor both young women’s contributions to local emergency services and their broader impact on family and friends. Visitation for one victim will be held Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes in Levittown, located at 2786 Hempstead Turnpike. Memorial visitation for the other victim will be held Saturday from 1-6 p.m. at Charles J. O’Shea Funeral Home in Wantagh at 603 Wantagh Ave, with a religious service following at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The loss of the firefighter and EMT represents a significant blow to the Levittown Fire Department, which has lost an active member who was known for her dedication to helping others in emergency situations.