Orangetown police accused Aisha Radoncic, then 17, and Jason Castro of driving recklessly on Oct. 13 as they raced down the road, triggering a crash that killed two people in Radoncic… "It was a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out the families who lost loved ones," Hughes said. Our family is devastated now,” cousin Ismael Cekic added. The driver of the car, 17 year-old Aisha Radoncic, was reportedly in good condition at Westchester Medical Center yesterday, according to published reports. She’s a twin. Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Names and conditions were not available for the three people in the minivan with her: a woman older than Radoncic, a baby and a preschooler whom police guessed to be about 3 years old. “To tell you the truth, it took a long time. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, of Orangeburg was seriously injured by survived. Police are still investigating the crash but have not found evidence of drugs or alcohol. Newstral is a hyper local aggregator with all news about Pearl River from newspapers and blogs: local, regional and international. Both Radoncic and Castro pleaded not guilty to the charges. Two passengers in the Porsche, Pearl River High School senior and football player Altin Nezaj, 17, and 15-year-old Saniha Cekic of Brooklyn, were killed. Cekic and Radonic were cousins and spending the weekend at Radonic’s parents’ house in Rockland County. "What appears to be an exciting race turns into a tragedy that has forever impacted numerous families and Pearl River as a community. “This is a remarkable community for its resilience and its ability to come together in times of tragedy, and this is no different,” he said. Radoncic's car plunged off the Route 304 overpass onto the train tracks for the Pascack Valley line, bursting into flames. “Today our community relives the horrible tragedy that claimed the lives of two teenagers, taken from us with there whole lives in front of them," Walsh said. She was released  without bail for a scheduled court appearance on June 30. “She was a beautiful child, beautiful, beautiful cousin, beautiful daughter. Residents said they heard the crash around 3:30 p.m. Sunday near the Crooked Hill Road Overpass on Route 304 in Pearl River. The driver, Aisha Radoncic, 17, of Orangeburg, was seriously injured. She had been airlifted to the hospital. “Honor students, top of their class. Aisha Radoncic, 17, of Orangeburg, New York, the driver of the Porsche the trio were riding in, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The tributes continue for the teen this weekend. They do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor. “We started trying to put out the fire. Castro was arraigned by Justice Patrick Loftus and released without bail pending a court appearance scheduled for Aug. 10. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, of Orangeburg was seriously injured by survived. CBSN New York''s Tony Aiello reports. CBS2's Tony Aiello. powered by Microsoft News. "Our Accident Investigation Team and their partners in the NYS Police and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office have been deeply committed to this investigation from its start," he said. The crash occurred on northbound Route 304 in the vicinity of the Crooked Hill Road overpass at approximately 3:26 p.m. that Saturday over the Columbus Day weekend. Pearl River school Superintendent Marco Pochintesta said the victims of the Oct. 13 crash continued to be remembered by the district community. Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed when a collision sent their SUV plunging 50 feet off an overpass onto train tracks below on Rockland County. She remains in Westchester Medical Center. They do not believe drugs or alcohol were a … Sign up today for a digital subscription. “We started trying to get fire extinguishers and we started trying to put out the fire, because all we heard was this poor girl screaming, and she was screaming terribly,” Geppner said. Cekic’s heartbroken father said she was an honor student at Edward R. … Cekic and Radonic were cousins and spending the weekend at Radonic’s parents’ house in Rockland County. Funeral services for 17 year-old Altin Nezaj were held yesterday in Yonkers. All we heard was this poor girl screaming. It charges that defendants Jason Castro, 44, of Nanuet, and Aisha Radoncic, (and her parents, Tifa Radoncic, and Naser Radoncic, who is also known as … Cekic’s heartbroken father said she was an honor student at Edward R. … "Ms. Radoncic also was a victim and not the culpable party.". The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, also a student at Pearl River High School, remains hospitalized and is listed in good condition. My son is destroyed,” Began Cekic said. Her 17-year-old cousin, Aisha Radoncic, was behind the wheel of the Porche SUV they were riding in. His wrestling coach remembered him as a great teammate and competitor whom they called “Big Al.” In track-and-field, he threw the discus and shot put. No matter what they did, they just kept coming up.”In keeping with Muslim tradition, Cekic was to be laid to rest quickly. powered by Microsoft News. The driver of the Jetta was not injured and police are still investigating the cause of the crash. Cekic’s heartbroken father said she was an honor student at Edward R. … She managed to escape the wreck and is in critical condition. Orangetown police arrested Radoncic on Monday and Castro on Tuesday. Authorities say the driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, first hit a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta before careening off the overpass. Only 15, all her life in front of her.”. Both victims were in the same vehicle, a Porsche driven by Aisha Radoncic, 17, of Orangeburg. Radoncic and Nezaj knew each other from Pearl River High School, where they were seniors. “Thank God the fire department came and they started dousing it with water and whatever else they could,” said Geppner. It charges that defendants Jason Castro, 44, of Nanuet, and Aisha Radoncic, (and her parents, Tifa Radoncic, and Naser Radoncic, who is also known as … The Porsche driver, 17-year-old Orangeburg resident Aisha Radoncic, was injured and taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where she was in … Her cousin – 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic – drove Cekic and their friend – 17-year-old Altin Nezaj – in her aunt’s Porche SUV to pick up groceries. Her cousin – 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic – drove Cekic and their friend – 17-year-old Altin Nezaj – in her aunt’s Porche SUV to pick up groceries. My son … they’re only 15 years old. PEARL RIVER — More than eight months after the fiery crash that took the lives of her cousin and a high school friend, the Orangeburg woman who drove the sports car that raced down Route 304 and a second driver have been charged with criminally negligent homicide, police said Wednesday. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, also a student at Pearl River High School, remains hospitalized and is listed in good condition. My son is destroyed,” Began Cekic said. "I have no information other than the allegations. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I kept seeing the flames. Radoncic, who was treated at the Westchester Medical Center and released, and Cekic were cousins. “That was her destiny.”. PEARL RIVER – Orangetown Police have released the identities of the two teens killed in a car crash in Pearl River on Sunday. “We’re always going to remember Altin Nezaj as the terrific student and athlete that he was,” he added. CBS2's Tony Aiello. The entire team attended his wake at a Yonkers funeral home. I kept seeing the flames. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com and on Twitter: @lohudlegal. Butterworth and District Attorney Thomas Walsh also recalled the young people who died in the crash. Two senior students were involved in a horrible accident yesterday,” Superintendent Marco Pochintesta told reporters Monday.Pochintesta said grief counselors would be on hand to help students throughout the week.“This is a remarkable community for its resilience and its ability to come together in times of tragedy, and this is no different,” he said.“We’re always going to remember Altin Nezaj as the terrific student and athlete that he was,” he added.Residents said they heard the crash around 3:30 p.m. Sunday near the Crooked Hill Road Overpass on Route 304 in Pearl River.“I was washing the car and all of a sudden, I heard this big bang,” neighbor Joe Geppner told WCBS.They desperately tried to help as the teens’ Porsche burst into flames.“We started trying to get fire extinguishers and we started trying to put out the fire, because all we heard was this poor girl screaming, and she was screaming terribly,” Geppner said.The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt. Nezaj died at the scene, while emergency room personnel pronounced Cekic dead at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. The driver of the Jetta was not injured and police are still investigating the cause of the crash. Castro of Nanuet drove a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta and was not injured. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. A New York community is in mourning after a fiery crash killed two teens and left another with serious injuries.A collision sent their SUV plunging 50 feet off an overpass onto train tracks below on Sunday afternoon.Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, also a student at Pearl River High School, remains hospitalized and is listed in good condition. The tributes continue for the teen this weekend. She’s the only daughter I have. Her 17-year-old cousin, Aisha Radoncic, was behind the wheel of the Porche SUV they were riding in. In keeping with Muslim tradition, Cekic was to be laid to rest quickly. Damiani said he originally thought Castro would be involved in a civil case, but then the police began interviewing him. "The allegations are that the two arrested individuals were engaged in a road race. Nezaj, who came from a large, close-knit Albanian-American family, was an excellent student and a standout athlete at Pearl River High School. The road has had numerous accidents in the area. It charges that defendants Jason Castro, 44, of Nanuet, and Aisha Radoncic, (and her parents, Tifa Radoncic, and Naser Radoncic, who is also known as Naser Redzepagic) of Orangeburg were “negligent, wanton, reckless and careless” in causing the crash on Oct. 13, 2019. Our sympathies go out to all the families involved in this horrible event.”. There’s no word on what caused the collision.Route 304 was shut down and part of the NJ Transit Pascack Valley line was suspended in both directions as emergency responders worked to extinguish the fire.“Thank God the fire department came and they started dousing it with water and whatever else they could,” said Geppner. A New York community is in mourning after a fiery crash killed two teens and left another with serious injuries. James Brown said the incidents is an open criminal case and certain information cannot be released at this time. "As we approach graduation, we especially recall the memory of Altin Nezaj, member of the Class of 2020, who we have held in our hearts throughout the year, and we offer our thoughts to the Nezaj, Cekic and Radoncic relatives and loved ones," Pochintesta said in a statement. He is the older brother of Aisha Radoncic, the driver in this week's crash. The judge did not make a decision, he said. On the Pirates football team, Nezaj wore number 71, a 6-foot-2-inch, 205-pound defensive lineman. Cekic and Radonic were cousins and spending the weekend at Radonic’s parents’ house in Rockland County. The driver of the Jetta was not injured and police are still investigating the cause of the crash. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived. Only 15, all her life in front of her.”“She was a beautiful child, beautiful, beautiful cousin, beautiful daughter. “If there is an angel, she is an angel. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived. An Orangeburg teen remains in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center following Sunday’s car accident in Pearl River that left two teens dead. There’s no word on what caused the collision. Authorities say the driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, first hit a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta before careening off the overpass. My son … they’re only 15 years old. “I was watching the car and all of a sudden I heard this big bang,” witness Joe Geppner told WCBS . All rights reserved. Finally, I am extremely grateful to everyone from our Office of Emergency Management, Chief McCullagh and all the men and women of the Clarkstown Police Department. Castro's attorney, Gerard Damiani, said he had yet to see any evidence from the police and prosecution concerning his client. Attorney John Hughes, representing Radoncic, said he's awaiting the investigative reports before commenting. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived. Two senior students were involved in a horrible accident yesterday,” Superintendent Marco Pochintesta told reporters Monday. Read more articles and bio. All news from Pearl River. Don't miss anything about Altin Nezaj, Aisha Radoncic, Saniha Cekic, Jason T. Castro, Chris Christie, Jason Castro, Marco Pochintesta and others. Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived. Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed when a collision sent their SUV plunging 50 feet off an overpass onto train tracks below on Rockland County. “Honor students, top of their class. © 2021 www.lohud.com. Cekic’s heartbroken father said she was an honor student at Edward R. Murrow High School, with dreams of becoming a doctor or lawyer. They desperately tried to help as the teens’ Porsche burst into flames. Conditions are definitely worsening, winds are picking up and snow is coming down at one to three inches an hour. He said she's still recovering from her injuries. 15 year-old Saniha Cekic of Brooklyn, a cousin of the car’s driver, was buried Tuesday. “To tell you the truth, it took a long time. The driver, Aisha Radoncic, 17, of Orangeburg, was seriously injured. James Sullivan said at the time there was no indication of drug or alcohol use by the drivers or passengers. No matter what they did, they just kept coming up.”. Saniha Cekic, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, a 17-year-old boy from Pearl River, were both killed. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived. They also were given several vehicle and traffic law infractions. She’s the only daughter I have. Services were planned for a mosque in Astoria, Queens, on Monday night, Aiello reported.Pochintesta said people should follow the school’s website and Facebook page for updates on upcoming memorial services.Radoncic remains in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center.Watch the video above to learn more about this story. Pochintesta said people should follow the school’s website and Facebook page for updates on upcoming memorial services. They do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor. Family, School In Grief After 2 Teens Killed In SUV Crash, Driver Remains In Critical Condition.. News video on One News Page on Monday, 14 October 2019 Orangetown Police Chief Donald Butterworth said the investigation took time and dedication. They do not believe drugs or alcohol were a … Radoncic was arraigned Tuesday in the Youth Part of the Rockland Superior Court by Judge Larry J Schwartz. We expect near white out conditions overnight so please stay home. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic from Orangeburg, was badly hurt but survived, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported. Police arrested Castro and Radoncic on two felony counts of criminally negligent homicide and misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, speed contests, and races. “They were closing the pool for the season and they went to go buy bagels or something,” he said, holding back tears. Our family is devastated now,” cousin Ismael Cekic added.He said his daughter and Radoncic were cousins and were spending the long weekend together at her aunt’s house in Rockland County, New York.“They were closing the pool for the season and they went to go buy bagels or something,” he said, holding back tears. Pochintesta said grief counselors would be on hand to help students throughout the week. The driver, 17-year-old Aisha Radoncic, from … “That was her destiny.”Radoncic and Nezaj knew each other from Pearl River High School, where they were seniors.“We find ourselves in the midst of an awful, awful tragedy. I don’t know why is … my wife is broken down. Parisi also knew fellow Pearl River senior Aisha Radoncic, of Orangeburg, who was driving the 2017 Porsche Macan SUV and survived the crash. Orangetown and state police accident investigation officers spent weeks reconstructing the crash and reviewing the evidence with the state police to determine the cause. 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