Photos show how roadside memorials allow mourners to share grief over Hylan Boulevard crash victims

Photos show how roadside memorials allow mourners to share grief over Hylan Boulevard crash victims

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – It’s been more than a week since a tragic car crash on the South Shore took the lives of three teenagers on July 10.

The three, Ashley Rodriguez, 15 and siblings Fernanda Gil, 16, and Jesie Gil, 15, perished when a Mustang they were riding in crashed on Hylan Boulevard near Richard Avenue in Pleasant Plains.

The 16-year-old driver of the Mustang survived the crash. His name has not been released by authorities.

In the days since the crash, mourners have created twin roadside memorials in honor of the victims on Hylan near the crash site.

The memorials have grown day by day. They include photos of the victims, crosses with the names of the victims inscribed on them, and personal messages to the lost teens written on utility poles.

The deadly crash occurred at about 8:50 p.m.

Police said the three victims were riding in a Ford Mustang traveling at an “unsafe speed” when it collided with a 2017 GMC Yukon being driven by Maher Asi-Mahmoud, 47, of Morganville, N.J.

The Mustang was eastbound on Hylan Boulevard while the Yukon was headed west on Hylan, said police.

As the Yukon was turning left onto southbound Richard Avenue, the Mustang swerved from the left lane into the right lane, police said.

The Yukon then struck the driver’s side of the Mustang, police said.

The Mustang careened into a tree, splitting the car in half and ejecting the two rear-seat passengers before striking a utility pole, police said.

The driver of the Yukon was later charged with driving with a suspended license.

The 16-year-old driver of the Mustang had a learner’s permit. Under state law, he should have been driving with a licensed adult in the vehicle. No charges have been filed against the Mustang driver.

Here’s a look at how mourners visiting the accident site have remembered the teen victims of the crash.

One of two roadside memorials to three teen victims of car crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Teen accident victim Ashley Rodriguez is remembered at roadside memorial. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Sign with the word “Love” adorns roadside memorial at site on Hylan Boulevard near where three teens were killed in a car crash. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Photo of crash victim Ashley Rodriguez is part of this roadside memorial at the crash site. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A cross hangs on utility pole at roadside memorial to three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A second roadside memorial in honor of three teens who were killed in crash on Hylan Boulevard is on the water side of Hylan. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A personal message to crash victim Jesie Gil is written on this utility pole at roadside memorial on Hylan Boulevard. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Cross dedicated to crash victim Jesie Gil at roadside memorial to three teens killed n car crash on Hylan Boulevard. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Message to crash victim Fernanda Gil is left on utility pole that appears to have been damaged by red Mustang that crashed on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022, killing three teens. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A pink cross carrying the name of crash victim Fernanda Gil rests amid flowers at roadside memorial to three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A note from a teacher at New Dorp High School, where crash victim Ashley Rodriguez attended school, is part of this roadside memorial to three teens who died in car crash on Hylan Boulevard. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

This cheerleading photo is part of a roadside memorial to three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Stuffed animal rests amid religious candles at roadside memorial to three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

One mourner left this pair of sneakers at roadside memorial for three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

The memorials to three teens killed in a car accident on July 10, 2022 have been growing every day as mourners place items at the sites. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

A broken car headlight is part of memorial to three teens killed in accident on Hylan Boulevard earlier this month. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Message from a mourner is written on utility pole at roadside memorial for three teens who perished in Hylan Boulevard car crash. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

An envelope addressed to “3 Angels” was left at roadside memorial to three teens who died in a car crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. – (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Religious candles featuring image of Jesus Christ left by mourners at roadside memorial to three teens killed in car crash on Hylan Boulevard this month. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

These religious candles left at the roadside memorial feature the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Latern with burning candle and a cross with crash victim Ashley Rodriguez’s name is seen at roadside memorial to three teens who were killed in crash on Hylan Boulevard on July 10, 2022. – (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

Balloons adorn utility pole at roadside memorial to the three teens who list their lives in car crash on Hylan Boulevard. – (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island AdvanceTom Wrobleski/Staten Island Adva

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