School identifies student killed in traffic accident

The Memorial Junior High School student who died after he was struck by a vehicle near Hendrickson Park on Thursday was identified as Zachary Ranftle, according to the Valley Stream Central High School District. He was 12.

Zachary, a seventh-grader, was struck by a 2003 GMC Yukon driven by Austin Soldano, 29, of Seaford at 7:17 a.m. He was walking to school.

“Zach was a shining star,” said a message on the district’s website. “He had many friends in class, helped others with difficult concepts, and was the first to ‘get it’ in class. He was able to think outside of the box and supply simple explanations [of] his ideas to others with ease. He provided us with insight and achieved greatness with every challenge he was presented with. He was well liked by his peers and loved by his teachers. He was a sweet boy who had a bright future. He will be greatly missed every day.”

Zachary received a scholarship in September from the District 13 Educational Foundation for being the top student in his graduating class at Howell Road Elementary School. He was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 109. In an email sent to organization members and parents, Committee Chair Roger Colena described him as a “delightful and extraordinary Boy Scout.”

He joined Troop 109 several months ago from Howard Beach Troop 139, and completed his formal den chief training in October, after which he was named a den chief. He attended a junior leader orientation workshop in November and became an assistant patrol leader. He was named a Second-Class Scout at the troop’s Winter Court of Honor, where he was recognized for completing eight merit badges.

Nassau County Police said Soldano was not driving recklessly, but he was arrested for driving with a suspended license. He was arraigned before Judge Joy Watson at First District Court in Hempstead, where he was jailed on $10,000 bond or $5,000 bail. He is being represented by Mineola attorney Ken Fitzgerald.

Soldano has a DWI case pending in Nassau County Court stemming from an Aug. 10 arrest, after which he was also charged with resisting arrest and numerous traffic violations, according to Paul Leonard, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office. His license was suspended and he was not eligible for a conditional license. Soldano also had a license suspension due to his failure to answer a May ticket for not wearing a seatbelt.