A 22-year-old Bellmore woman was among two people fatally struck by a car while they stood on the side of Interstate-95 to report an earlier car crash in Westchester County this week.
New York State police said Kayla Ann Donnelly-Smith and 61-year-old Winter Krzysztof had pulled over and called 911 after their vehicles collided before a third vehicle lost control and struck them both, killing them instantly in the City of Rye at 1:14 p.m. Monday.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss,” the Southern Connecticut State University cheerleading team, which she coached, posted on their Facebook page Tuesday. “Her motivation and drive brought this team together and we will continue to fight in honor of her for the rest of the season. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Kayla’s friends and family during this difficult time.”
The third driver, 46-year-old Tai Zhoa of Queens, was driving northbound when he struck both victims and their vehicles near exit 22 of I-95, police said. Zhao’s vehicle then veered back into traffic, where it struck a commercial bus that then sideswiped another northbound vehicle, causing minor damage, police said.
Zhao was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported. Troopers are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Donnelly-Smith was a W.C. Mepham High School graduate.
