Girl, 17, killed days after prom when convertible Mustang hit Jeep and flipped

A teenage girl has tragically died after the convertible Mustang she was a passenger in swerved, hit a Jeep and flipped.

Isabel Carella, 17, was being driven by Dominic Crocitto, also 17, on Wednesday (June 15) just days after the pair attended their prom together.

Joseph Gibiino, 16, and Liam Feeley, 17, were also in the car, fellow students at Kings Park High School in New York, US.

Police said Crocitto was "distracted" whilst driving just five miles from his home, adding that there is no suggestion drugs or alcohol were involved.

The Mustang skidded and hit a blue Jeep driven by Annalise Wilkes, 19. Her car was severely damaged and she was hospitalised.

Crocitto's car flipped and landed in a garden. He had severe injuries, as did Gibiino who suffered a collapsed lung and broken jaw after being thrown from the car.

Feeley only had minor injuries.

Sadly, Carella was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kings Park High School superintendent Timothy T. Eagen confirmed her death, writing in a message to the school community: "We are tremendously saddened by events and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed."

He added that counselling is being made available for other students.

Speaking on Thursday (June 16) Suffolk County Det. Lt. Michael Crowley said: "The preliminary cause of the crash appears to be distraction on the part of the operator of the Mustang, but we have no evidence to indicate that speed was a factor at this time."

He also reiterated that investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Tributes have been pouring in for Carella, who was a keen dancer and member of the Sara Jean Dance Company in Smithtown, according to Newsday.

Sara Jean Haas, owner of the dance company, said: "She was a confident dancer, but she was humble, even though she had very good abilities. She was a very positive girl."

Kings Park High School PFA have now launched a fundraiser for Carella's family.

They wrote: "This news is saddening and unexpected, and we would like to help the family offset the cost of the inevitable expenses during this time.

"Issie was a Kickline, Chorus and Theater Member, among other things.

"Recently, in May, she received the Musical Theatre Award for choreographing the dance numbers for our Spring Musical."

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