Yesterday morning, three people were killed in a car crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway. Floral Park residents Michael Mulhall, 22, Paige Malone, 19, and her sister Jamie Malone, 22, died; they and the two survivors, driver Justine Mulhall, 20, Michael Mulhall's sister, and Kelly Murphy, 20, were headed to Camp Anchor in Lideo Beach, where they work as counselors to disabled adults and children. The Malones' father Jim wept, "We lost three great kids from this town today, two from my family. Wonderful kids. Never in any trouble. It's terrible. We're just devastated."
The cause of the crash is under investigation, but alcohol has been ruled out. According to Newsday, "The 2010 Honda Civic was traveling south in the left lane of the Meadowbrook just south of the Southern State Parkway and north of Exit M7 when it crossed to the right lane, onto the shoulder and struck a tree, demolishing the vehicle and ejecting at least one rider, investigators said."
Lido Beach Town Supervisor Kate Murray was also shaken, breaking down into tears while talking to reporters outside the camp, "As anybody who's ever come to Camp Anchor knows, the heart and soul of the camp are the young men and women who mostly volunteer and work with our campers. There is a very special bond that is life-enhancing both for the campers and the counselors." State Police Troop L Commander Maj. Walter Heesch said, "Our prayers go out to the families in this tragedy, and also to the community of Floral Park, where all three of these young people were from. These were three young adults doing something positive for the community."
