16-Year-Old Vlad Mosyuk Killed In New City Car Crash
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A teenager was arrested in Rockland County after allegedly driving drunk and causing a crash that killed another teen.
The victim's name was Vlad Mosyuk, and he was just 16 years old.
Olivia Cunningham was his classmate and close friend.
"He was really caring and friendly. He had tons of friends. So many people love him," she told CBS2's Tony Aiello.
Vlad died in a three-car wreck Thursday night on a twisty section of Congers Road in New City.
He was a passenger in a black sedan along with a 17-year-old girl, who also suffered serious injuries.
Clarkstown Police charged the driver, 18-year-old Alan Mendoza, with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and vehicular homicide.
Mendoza and his two passengers -- all students at Clarkstown North High School.
"Having a 16-year-old die in Clarkstown, it really breaks our hearts. It's a terribly tragedy, and it's completely preventable," Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said.
He says it's another shock for local families. It comes just 12 days after the death of Suffern High School student Jacqueline Zangrilli, who was killed in a rollover accident in nearby Montebello.
The 17-year-old driver in that accident is charged with DWI and manslaughter.
Two deaths in less than two weeks -- no doubt leading to many conversations about the dangers of drinking and driving.
"If you're ever in that predicament, either call a parent, call an Uber, don't get behind the wheel with somebody that you feel is drinking [and] driving," parent Claudine Cunningham said.
Local officials realize more needs to be done to reach teens about the dangers of drunk driving and are strategizing how to do that.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Vlad's medical bills and funeral costs: gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-vlad