The Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad is investigating a serious vehicular accident involving a bicyclist that occurred on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 at 10:46 a.m. in Syosset.
According to detectives, a 16-year-old male, who was identified as Benjamin Daggett, a Syosset High School student, was riding his bicycle northbound on South Oyster Bay Road and was struck by a 2017 Nissan operated by a 54-year-old male traveling southbound while turning east onto the Long Island Expressway Service Road. The bicyclist suffered severe head trauma and was transported by a Syosset Fire Department Ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.
He was pronounced dead on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 by a hospital physician.
Services were held for Daggett at Beney Funeral Home on Feb. 4.
Over 100 messages were left from friends, family, neighbors and even those touched by Daggett’s story on Beney Funeral Home’s website. The messages displayed just how kind, thoughtful, fun and a good listener he was. Many of his friends said he was also a talented rapper. Friends recounted how he moved from Texas during his sophomore year and quickly made many friends.
One message from a friend read:
“Ben was the most genuine and happiest person I’ve ever met. There were so many times where he’s given me advice on what to do and he was never negative in any situation he was going through. Everywhere Ben went he would always see someone he knew and if not he would meet so many kids. I’ve made so many memories with Ben that I will cherish forever and there’s never a moment where I’m not thinking of Ben. He was always the life of the party and even when he wasn’t in this type of setting everyone would always hear him rap or his crazy stories. He always managed to make me laugh and he was just such a great person to talk to every day. We have gone to all the elementary schools together for class and he always had the best interactions with the kids there. They would chase him around and they all loved him. He really was amazing and I never met someone so passionate about music. He always had a huge smile on his face. I’ll miss you forever Ben.”
To leave a message or read the ones left, visit here.
On Feb. 2, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino posted on his Facebook the following statement: “Join me in praying for the family of Benjamin Daggett, a 16-year old from Syosset who tragically passed away. Benjamin was struck by a car while riding his bicycle to his weekend job at McDonald’s – a devastating loss for our community.”
Dr. Thomas Rogers, the superintendent of the Syosset Central School District, addressed the district community on Feb. 1.
“I am very sad to inform you that our learning community is mourning the tragic loss of one of our students in the aftermath of a traffic accident earlier this month,” Dr. Rogers wrote. “Ben Daggett was a Junior at Syosset High School and although one of the newer members of the Syosset community, he had quickly become an integral part. Our learning community is deeply saddened by this sudden loss. We offer our deep condolences to the student’s family and friends, and we are keeping them all in our thoughts.”
In the letter, he stated that mental health counselors would be available in the Guidance Resource Center and in all of Daggett’s classes.
“Despite our school district’s size, I am proud that we remain a tight-knit community; and the greater the difficulty, the tighter we become,” Dr. Rogers wrote. “I know you join me in sharing thoughts of sympathy and support with the Daggett family.”
Benjamin Daggett, 16, was beloved by his family and community.
(Sourced photo)
