Promising young life cut short as high schooler dies in car crash

A promising young life was cut short in a terrible car crash on Long Island that also injured four other teens.

Carella, a high school senior, died Wednesday after leaving school. She was a passenger in a car filled with friends that crashed in Commack.

The incident happened on the eve of year-end festivities at their high school.

These were supposed to be celebratory days.

Instead, the Kings Park community is in mourning. Graduation and prom are one week away, and tragically missing will be 17-year-old Isabel Carella.

“I heard this loud ‘boom,’ you know, crash,” said Lawrence Rubin, who heard the impact into his fence on Indian Head Road and witnessed the heartbreaking scene.

Suffolk Police said the 17-year-old driver of a convertible with its top down swerved to avoid a car slowing to make a turn and lost control.

According to police, the driver and his two back-seat passengers, all Kings Park High School juniors, were injured. Carella was a front-seat passenger and wearing a seatbelt.

No drugs, alcohol or criminality are suspected.

“The preliminary cause of the crash appears to be distraction on the part of the operator of the Mustang, but we have no evidence to indicated speed was a factor at this rime,” said Suffolk County Police Det. Lt. Michael Crowley.

Heartbroken classmates were offered counseling.

Carella, known as “Issie,” was a member of kick line, chorus and theater.

Friday was to be a final dance recital for Carella and her classmates. Instead, they will observe a moment of silence with prayers for the other students involved; two are still hospitalized.

The 19-year-old driver of the other car was not seriously hurt.

Suffolk Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has information or video to contact them.