Vigil, fundraiser set for Riverhead Raceway regulars killed in crash

A candlelight vigil and dinner fundraiser will be held this the week for the family of Manorville residents and Riverhead Raceway regulars Keri Trinca and her 7-year-old son Jason who were killed in a car crash Saturday that critically injured two other Trinca children.

Ms. Trinca was driving eastbound on the Oceanview Boulevard extension when her 1998 Honda Accord entered the intersection of County Road 111 and collided with a southbound 2002 Ford E350 van driven by Steven Vonfricken, Suffolk Police said.

Ms. Trinca died at the scene. Jason — who was a go-kart racer — was transported by Manorville Community Ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where he later died from his injuries. Ms. Trinca’s 4-year-old daughter Marialena and son Christopher, 2, were transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center via police helicopter where they were in critical condition, authorities said.

No charges have been filed, but the crash is still under investigation.

A hospital spokesman told the News-Review Tuesday that while Christopher’s condition was upgraded to fair, Maria was still in critical condition.

A candlelight vigil will be held at the Eastport-South Manor football field Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. and donations will be collected for Ms. Trinca’s husband, Jay, and their children. An Italian buffet fundraiser will also be held at Villa Michelangelo’s in Manorville from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and all proceeds will benefit the family.

On Sunday, Riverhead Raceway was full of mourners bearing number 48, go-kart racer Jason’s number.

“One in a million,” David Brigati, who runs East End Kart Racing, told Newsday. “That kid got out of bed trying to win a race.”

To make a donation, visit the Trinca Motorsports Facebook page and click the donate button on the left.