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« State gets more money for crime victims | Today | Update: RAF jets pass on State House flyover today » June 23, 2008Update: Ex-legislator Mesolella's daughter dies in crashThe daughter of Vincent J. Mesolella Jr., a prominent former state representative from North Providence, was killed Sunday morning in a head-on car crash in Port Washington, N.Y. The Nassau County Police Department said that alcohol appeared to be a factor in the accident leading to the death of Desiree Mesolella, 19, of Lincoln, an aspiring model, clothing designer and student at Adelphi University in nearby Garden City on Long Island. Mesolella was a passenger in a 2007 Honda Civic that was driven by Ansaf G. Imbrahim, 21, of Port Washington. The police said that Imbrahim was driving north on Port Washington Boulevard at 8:29 a.m. when she crossed the center line and crashed into a Toyota heading in the opposite direction. The impact of the collision forced the Toyota to collide with another car, a 2006 Honda. The drivers of those cars -- a 30-year old woman, and a 44-year old man -- were transported to local hospitals and treated for minor injuries. Mesolella and Imbrahim were brought to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Less than three hours later, at 10:54 a.m., Mesolella was pronounced dead. It was not known whether she was wearing a seatbelt. Mesololla’s father, now a developer, was unavailable for comment today. Imbrahim, whose injuries, the police said, were described as non-life threatening, was arrested at the hospital and charged with second-degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and the aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. -- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski, with reports from projo.com staff writer Brandie Jefferson She was expected to be arraigned today in her hospital bed, or in First District Court in Hempstead, Long Island. A spokeswoman at Adelphi said that Imbrahim was not a student at the university. Desiree Mesolella was a 2006 graduate of St. Mary Academy-Bay View in East Providence. She had been a past contestant in the Miss Rhode Island Teen USA pageant, gaining recognition in the "evening gown’’ portion of the 2005 contest. Colleen Gribben, principal of St. Mary Academy-Bay View, learned of Mesolella’s death on Sunday afternoon, and the news left her shocked. She said that Mesolella came to the Catholic school in the fourth grade and stayed through high school. She was a cheerleader and her parents were supportive of "Manhattan,’’ an annual fund-raising cabaret. "She was great,’’ Gribben said. "She was a very happy kid. She was very social and very outgoing.’’ Last summer, Mesolella was recognized on a local Web site, 4Zero1.com as "Model of the Month.’’ In response to a series of questions on the site, she said that she was taking college business courses and she was interested in owning a clothing boutique in Manhattan. She also said that she loved Las Vegas, Rhode Island beaches and "definitely coffee milk.’’ In the fall of 2006, Mesolella enrolled as a freshman at Adelphi University, largely a commuter school with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its campus is about 20 miles west of New York City. Bonnie Eissner, Adelphi’s communications director, said Mesolella had recently declared art as her major, and she was wrapping up a summer session of studies that began last month. "We at the university are saddened by the news,’’ Eissner said. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this most difficult time.’’ Mesolella’s father was deputy Democratic majority whip for former House Speaker John B. Harwood, D-Pawtucket. Over the past 14 years, he has been chairman of the Narragansett Bay Commission, the state’s largest sewage-treatment agency. Posted by Brandie Jefferson CommentsJessica | June 23, 2008 10:57 AM link Dear Vinny and family,as i parent i wish to extend my deepest sympathys.please no that our beautiful daughter is in Gods hands know.With deepest sympathies.Bernie Gemma and son Mitchell bernie gemma | June 23, 2008 1:40 PM link Dear Vinny & Donna, Paula Iacono | June 23, 2008 1:55 PM link Vinny, so sorry to hear of your tragety.Many things happen in life and over the years but this is one of the utmost when a parent loses a child. May God be with you and your wife through this difficult time and ordeal.There are some things that are just not fair in life. Joe Zenga Joe Zenga | June 23, 2008 5:12 PM link Jessica, No man crashed into this young woman's car. She voluntarily got into a car with a apparently drunk driver. carrie | June 23, 2008 5:20 PM link Dear Mesolella Family, We were so sorry to hear about your beautiful daughter. Please know your entire family are in our prayers. Sincerely, The Hartley Family Hartley Family | June 23, 2008 6:32 PM link to the Mesolella Family/vinny, steve and sofia lancia steven a lancia | June 23, 2008 9:11 PM link Donna& Vinny , our prayers are with you ,to give the two of you strenth in this time . Anthony/sharon Corsi | June 24, 2008 12:42 AM link What a waste of a beautiful girl's life. What was she thinking to drive with her friend who was apparently drunk and driving reckless! And she was not wearing a seat belt!? Hello?? I just don't get it. When these tragic things happen one could understand if a young person passes from an illnes. But this pure stupidity has got to stop!! Amber | June 24, 2008 11:44 AM link Vinny & Donna, We last spoke at Amy's wedding, and the words you left me with about the sometimes difficult, but rewarding experiences of raising a teenage daughter have helped me push ahead during my own difficult times. I was driving Tatiana to her college orientation on Monday morning when the call came from Amy.....I cannot express how grateful I was that Tatiana was still within reach of the special bond that exists between a Daughter and her Dad. Although I cannot imagine anyone ever getting past this, I pray that your family will have the strength to move forward, and cherish every happy memory of Desiree.
Mark & Tatiana Blais | June 24, 2008 2:35 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Dear Family,
I am so upset and extend my sympathy to you during this difficult time. My boyfriend, 18 years old, died in a car crash July 22, 2007. I know how difficult it is and it's still brand new. There's nothing I can tell you to ease your pain and grief except that I know a fraction of how you feel and you can get through it. All I can say is I am happy the man that crashed into your precious daughter is behind bars.
My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you.
Jessica DiSalvo