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An East Hampton High School student was killed in a car crash on Old Stone Highway in Springs on Sunday night. DOUG KUNTZ
The vehicle involved in the fatal crash being removed from the scene on Monday morning. DOUG KUNTZ
Monday, June 16, 6:30 p.m.:
Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo Fuertes, an 18-year-old East Hampton High School graduate who now resides in Moriches, sobbed today as he was arraigned on multiple charges after a crash on Old Stone Highway in Amagansett Sunday evening that resulted in the death of an 18-year old East Hampton High School student.
Bail was set at $400,000, which his attorney, Melissa Aguanno, said afterwards Barrionuevo Fuertes’s family would not be able to post.
Barrionuevo Fuertes is currently facing one felony count under Leandra’s Law, which makes it a crime to drive while intoxicated with a minor in the car. According to East Hampton Town Police, there were two minors, one 15, the other 17, in the vehicle.
Leandra’s Law is named for Leandra Rosado, a child killed in an accident in New York City caused by a drunk driver in 2009.
There were seven passengers in the 2009 Toyota Camry Barrionuevo Fuertes was said to be driving. Scarleth S. Urguiles, 19, a senior at the school, was declared deceased at the scene by first responders. Another woman, Jennifer Amon-Barrers, 18, of East Hampton, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital’s Trauma Center after suffering severe injuries. Police described her condition this morning as serious but stable.
The other five passengers, all from East Hampton, ranging in age from 15 to 19, were all taken by ambulances from both East Hampton and Amagansett fire departments to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital to be treated.
According to prosecutor Christie Heine, Barrionuevo Fuertes were returning from a day at the beach when the Toyota swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic when a car suddenly appeared, headed right for the Toyota. Barrionuevo Fuertes swung the wheel hard, Heine said, but overcompensated on the narrow winding Old Stone Highway, going offroad and crashing into a tree, then flipped over.
Old Stone Highway has been the scene of at least two fatal vehicular accidents in recent years.
Right now, Barrionuevo Fuertes is facing the one felony, along with misdemeanor DWI and another misdemeanor, endangering the welfare of a child, with more charges likely coming, as police continue their investigation, working with the Suffolk County Crime lab, with manslaughter in the second degree a possibility.
Barrionuevo Fuertes’s parents both wept during the arraignment, as did other members of his family and friends seated in the courtroom.
Melissa Aguanno has been retained by Barrionuevo Fuertes‘s family to represent him. She stood by his side during the arraignment in front of East Hampton Town Justice Steven.Tekulsky.
Tekulsky had initially ruled earlier that the arraignment would take place in a sealed courtroom, with no members of the public or press allowed, save the defendant’s family, due to the age of the defendant.
However, Krista McNally, a reporter with News 12, objected to the press being barred and contacted that organization’s legal team. Eventually, after leaving the bench for an extended period of time, Tekulsky returned and ruled that the press and public could attend the arraignment which was then held Monday afternoon.
Barrionuevo Fuertes, handcuffed, was brought into the courtroom around 2:30 in the afternoon. His parents sat in the courtroom, sobbing.
None of the victim’s family members were present.
Heine told the asked that bail be set at $500,000.
Aguanno countered that Barrionuevo Fuertes has never been in trouble, and was fully cooperative.
Tekulsky set the $400,000 amount, stating that if it was posted, Barrionuevo Fuertes would have to immediately surrender his passport to the court.
If bail is not posted, the prosecution has until the end of business Friday to obtain an indictment from a grand jury or release Barrionuevo Fuertes from custody.
It is at that point that additional charges would likely be brought.
After speaking for a long period after the arraignment with Barrionuevo Fuertes’s parents, Aguanno spoke with the media.
She called the incident a “tragedy.” Aguanno said that Barrionuevo Fuertes was in the process of enlisting in the US Marine Corps, with a long-term goal of a career in law enforcement.
Original story:
An East Hampton High School student was killed — and several others were injured — following a single-car crash on Old Stone Highway in Springs on Sunday night in which the driver of the car was charged with DWI.
East Hampton Town Police said a 19-year-old East Hampton woman, Scarleth Urgiles, was killed in the crash. Six additional passengers were hospitalized. An 18-year-old East Hampton woman suffered serious injuries.
Police charged the driver, Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo-Fuertes, 18, of Moriches, with DWI, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger and endangering the welfare of a child. Officers arrested him at the scene. He is awaiting arraignment before the East Hampton Town Justice Court.
Barrionuevo-Fuertes reportedly left the road while driving a 2009 Toyota Camry southbound on Old Stone Highway near Deep Six Drive. Police said the car overturned and struck a tree.
Springs Fire Department extricated two passengers from the car. Urgiles was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Jennifer Amon-Barrers, 18, of East Hampton, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was listed in serious, but stable, condition, police said.
Amagansett and East Hampton ambulance crews transferred the remaining passengers, Michael Puente, 19, of East Hampton, Melanie Mendez, 19, of East Hampton, Carlos Pinos, 18, of East Hampton, and two juveniles, to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for treatment.
“There are no words to properly express the feelings of loss and grief that we feel at this time,” East Hampton Superintendent of Schools Adam Fine said in a statement. “The East Hampton community is strong and resilient and always comes together when needed.”
The school district had grief counselors available throughout the day. Fine asked parents to contact the school if a student needed assistance. The full mental health team was available to support students, he said separately, including social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors and administrators. The school district also had professionals from the Family Service League, a nonprofit, present for assistance.
The crash occurred near Springs School. East Hampton Town Police said school access was accessible from the north side, and traffic officers were in the area to assist with drop off. As of Monday morning, the road was still closed.
East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen issued a statement Monday morning that described the crash as an “unimaginably tragedy.” On Father’s Day, which is meant for love and family, the community finds itself in mourning, he said.
“My heart goes out to the families affected, and on behalf of the Village of East Hampton, I extend our deepest condolences to the parents, loved ones, and friends of those involved. We stand by them in their grief, offering our support and prayers as they navigate this painful moment,” he said.
The mayor said that the village officials are reminded of the strength and resilience of the community, and he urged the community to honor the memory of those who were killed.
East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said in part that the community is heartbroken as it mourns Urgiles. Burke-Gonzalez said the community is grieving and aching with the family.
“To our young people, I want you to hear this clearly,” she said. “You do not have to carry this alone. If you are hurting, please talk to someone. You are surrounded by people who care about you and who are here to help.”
East Hampton is a small town, Burke-Gonzalez said. Because of that, it feels these losses deeply.
The supervisor thanked the East Hampton High School staff, the Springs Fire Department, the ambulance crews from East Hampton Village, Amagansett and Springs, and the East Hampton Town Police Department.
Police impounded the vehicle while the investigation continued. Anyone with information can contact the East Hampton Town Police Detectives Division at 631-537-7575.
