By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
Reyes hit a curb and then a tree at Carolina Avenue in Island Park, an impact that injured the two boys and left their mother with fatal injuries. Rosa Reyes died of her injuries 22 hours after the accident.
According to Fourth Precinct police officer Ronald Walsh, the family was headed home at around 2 a.m. from a Hempstead pizza place owned by the boys' father on Sunday June, 23. While heading south on Austin Boulevard, just south of the Outback Steak House, Perfecto Reyes lost control of the car.
Rosa Reyes, known to her neighbors by her middle name Oliva, suffered chest injuries and was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following night at 11:58 p.m. Sunday. Walsh said she died almost 24 hours later as a result of the injuries received in the accident.
Perfecto Reyes suffered a chest contusion and his 12-year old brother suffered a broken leg. The brothers were taken to Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre.
Police don't know what caused Reyes to lose control or why he was even driving. The 1987 Toyota belonged to his father, Walsh said. And Rosa Reyes, he said, did not have a license, either.
Neighbors at the family's apartment building on East Broadway spoke well of the Reyes. Archie Rojas said the Reyes family were good people and were always nice. Olivia, he said, was a very good person and was very hard working.
Superintendent Willie Oliva knew the family and said they were a nice family.
Asked if he ever saw the 16-year-old driving before, he shook his head and replied never.
