Some Complain About Dangers Of Southern State Parkway After Crash Kills 5
NORTH BABYLON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Investigators are working to determine whether speed and alcohol were factors in a wreck Saturday night on the Southern State Parkway that left three children, their mother and their grandmother dead, police said.
Myriam Lebrun, 37, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, was driving in North Babylon when her Honda Accord veered off the roadway, smashed into a tree and burst into flames, killing her, police said.
Also killed were her mother, Yolande Moise, and Lebrun's children -- 14-year-old Marquis Jeanty, 9-year-old Marcel Jeanty and 8-year-old Kayla Jeanty.
Many people refer to the stretch of roadway as the "Southern Snake Parkway" because of its dangerous, winding curves.
"I try to avoid it at all costs," Matilda Morvair told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.
"When I drive on the road, I see the trees with those little plaques on them," Anthony Vella said. "So many people go off the road and hit the trees and die."
Family members of the victims are devastated following the crash.
A relative, Christine Moise, told Newsday that Marquis loved basketball and Marcel was artistic. Kayla was a little "diva" who could "play dress-up all day," she said.
The children's great-uncle, Eustache Moise, of West Hempstead, said he's just "trying to hang on."
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