Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Andrew Salgado, a 14-year-old varsity soccer athlete and eighth-grade student at North Country Road Middle School, died Thursday afternoon following a month-long fight for survival after a traumatic bicycle accident on Route 25A in Miller Place. The news was announced by his older brother Joseph through a deeply touching Instagram post, as well as by his travel soccer team, the Atlantic United Soccer Club.
Andrew had been hospitalized in critical condition at Stony Brook University Hospital since the bicycle accident occurred on March 24, according to Greater Long Island. Police reported that Andrew suffered traumatic injuries while riding his bike eastbound on the shoulder of Route 25A when he struck a Ford F-550 truck that was making a turn into a local business.
The 14-year-old athlete had been fighting for every second of every day following the crash, according to his brother’s tribute. “Since the day you were born I always had a built-in best friend,” Joseph Salgado wrote in his Instagram post. “I would do anything to have one more catch outside with you, come watch one more of your soccer games… You were going to be great and everyone knows that Andrew.”
Joseph Salgado described a life spent “doing everything together,” from childhood nights building stuffed-animal forts to playing the Rocket League video game together. He called Andrew “the strongest kid I have ever met,” noting that his brother fought for survival throughout his hospitalization at Stony Brook University Hospital.
The Atlantic United Soccer Club mourned Andrew’s passing on their Facebook page, posting: “Atlantic United SC mourns the loss of B2012 MLS Next Academy Division player, Andrew Salgado. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the Salgado family, as well as our entire AUSC family.” Maureen Keaveny Escobar commented on the soccer club’s post: “Such an amazing boy! Andrew, you will continue to be loved and remembered by your soccer family always.”
Miller Place School District Superintendent Seth Lipshie issued a statement acknowledging the deep impact of Andrew’s passing on the community. “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of one of our North Country Road Middle School students, Andrew Salgado. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Andrew’s family, friends, and all those who knew and cared for them during this incredibly difficult time,” Lipshie wrote. “As a community, we are deeply affected by this loss, and we recognize the impact it has on our students, staff, and families. We are committed to supporting one another in the days ahead by providing counseling and support services for students or staff.”
Andrew is survived by his parents, Manny Salgado and Kristianna Giordano-Salgado, his older brother Joseph, and a younger brother. The family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support in Joseph’s Instagram tribute: “The support that everyone has given us and the love the community has shown we could never thank everyone enough. Keep Andrew’s name alive for us and hug your love ones, and tell them you love them because you never know when it might be the last time you can.”
Location & Road Context
The fatal accident occurred on Route 25A in Miller Place, where Andrew was riding eastbound on the shoulder when the collision with the Ford F-550 truck occurred. Route 25A is a major east-west thoroughfare running through the North Shore communities of Long Island, connecting multiple town centers and serving both local and through traffic in the Miller Place area.
The accident site is located in the vicinity of local businesses where the truck driver was attempting to make a turn. This stretch of Route 25A passes through the heart of Miller Place, near community landmarks including the Miller Place Duck Pond, which is located across the street from North Country Middle School where Andrew was a student.
Broader Impact
The tragedy galvanized the Miller Place and Sound Beach communities for over a month, generating unprecedented support under the banner “Pray for Andrew.” Local residents and businesses lined the streets with blue ribbons in support of the Salgado family, while a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $120,000 with contributions from over 1,500 individual donors. The fence at the Miller Place Duck Pond became a growing memorial, draped in soccer jerseys and handwritten letters from classmates and friends.
The Miller Place PTO announced Thursday that it established a ThankBox as a place for the community to share love, memories and support for Andrew’s family. Condolences immediately began pouring in from community members. Melanie Reames wrote: “Our son Cody knew your Andrew and he only has the kindest words to say about him. We have all been praying since day one that Andrew would make a recovery. And when Cody came home from school today and he told us that Andrew’s injuries were too bad for him to survive it was the heaviest news we could hear. All we can think is that your family is so strong and the community is supporting you and hopefully in some way this helps you move forward through your grief.”
The school district emphasized its commitment to supporting the community through this loss. “We ask that you keep the family and our school community in your thoughts. Together, we will honor the memory of Andrew with compassion and care,” Superintendent Lipshie stated, noting that counseling and support services would be made available for students and staff affected by Andrew’s passing.