Tribute Once Again Marks Spot Where 4 Women Died In Limo Crash

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A pole near the site where four young women died in a devastating limo crash in Cutchogue is once again decorated with photographs, flowers, and painted rocks after the original tribute at the location disappeared in October.

Last month, as the pole stood stripped of the hearts and memories, the families of the four women killed were outraged.

As recently as July, hearts with the women's names, flowers and purple ribbons adorned the pole.

"Our angels forever in heaven," the writing on one heart read. The base of the pole was covered with flowers, flags, photographs of the young women and other mementoes.

But suddenly, the pole and area below were stripped bare. And both town and county elected officials told Patch they had no idea how or when the items were removed. County Road 48, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said, is under Suffolk County jurisdiction.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said he knew nothing about it and it had not been reported to authorities.

Legislator Al Krupski said he had spoken with the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, who reported that while the plantings were intact, the other items were gone, and they were not responsible for any removal.

"They understand the reason for the plantings and memorial and are very sympathetic to the families," Krupski said.

The parents of Brittney Shulman 23, , Stephanie Belli, 23, Amy Grabina, 23, and Lauren Baruch, 24 — who were killed when their limo was T-boned by a red pickup truck driven by Steven Romeo of Southold at the intersection of County Road 48 and Depot Lane in Cutchogue on July 18, 2015 — were livid.

"We are upset," said Paul Shulman, Brittney's father. "We can't believe that it was removed — a very malicious, disturbing, and upsetting act."

Parents of the women say the memorial currently set up isn't what they envision in the long run. "That memorial is temporary," Shulman said.

Nancy DiMonte, whose daughter Joelle was seriously injured in the crash, said one of the mothers went out to put something up at the spot before the group of parents design something permanent to honor their precious daughters. "We hope that our tribute remains intact," she said.

A new sign, "LABS," adorns the pole: "LABS" stands for "Lauren, Amy, Brittney, Stephanie," or LABS; in 2018, a "LABS" petition was created as the heartbroken parents organized "so no other family has to walk in our shoes," Shulman said. LABS, he said, is a petition to "bring awareness and justice to the horrific event that occurred."

Three of the women died at the crash site and another died at a hospital. Four other women in the limo were hospitalized: Alicia Arundel, 23; Melissa Crai, 23; Joelle Dimonte, 25; and Olga Lipets, 24.

The driver of the limo, Carlos Pino, 58, of Bethpage, was also hurt in the crash. Romeo pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired by alcohol, a traffic infraction, in 2017. The limo driver, Pino, was charged with criminally negligent homicide, failure to yield the right of way and other charges, but Justice Fernando Camacho dismissed the indictment.

For years, the families of the women have advocated and supported legislation advancing limousine safety reforms.

In July, Bob Sullivan, the Cutchogue-based attorney for the four young women, unveiled ambulance records that he said indicated there was a new witness at the scene of the crash.