The Effects Of The Main Street Pedestrian Accidents On The People Left Behind

The Smithtown Patch headline grabbed my attention immediately, not only because it involved children being hurt, but at that exact moment, I was just finishing up an email helping to organize a fundraiser for the family of Seamus Byrne. Only two months ago, Seamus was struck by a car and killed on the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Main Street. “Not another one," I thought. My heart stopped for a second as I read the first paragraph of the article and unfortunately what I had feared was confirmed. Another pedestrian accident had occurred at the exact same spot. The corner of Lawrence Avenue and Main Street in Smithtown is a busy one, with an estimated 33,000 cars driving along Main Street every day. But not many of these drivers are driving safely or with any regard to pedestrians.

In the past two years, too many local families have been effected by these tragedies. I know this because I know Seamus Byrne’s wife and her family and have personally witnessed the heartbreak so many people now suffer after losing him. Seamus served with the New York Army National Guards Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment. He was injured in July 2008 when the vehicle he was in was struck by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Nine others were killed. Seamus was one of the lucky survivors and was sent home with Traumatic Brain Injury and a Purple Heart.

Fast forward to Saturday, February 26, 2011, Seamus’ 33rd birthday. He spent the evening at a birthday get-together and had a great time celebrating with his wife, family and friends. In the early morning hours of Sunday, February 27, he was crossing Main Street at Lawrence Avenue and was struck by a car. His wife, Michelle, a Registered Nurse, witnessed the accident and tried to revive him, not stopping until the paramedics removed her from the scene in order to get him airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital’s Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His two small children will now grow up without their father, his daughter so young, with hopes that memories of him will remain. His son, named after his father, will have memories of his Dad to cherish, but will never be able to see him again. Michelle is now a single mother who struggles over the sudden loss of her husband as well as all that is ahead of her and their children. Also affected are Seamus' family … his parents, brothers, nephews, to name a few of such a tight knit family, friends and Michelle’s brother who was at the birthday celebration and was at Seamus' and his sister's side just minutes after the accident.

Driving under the influence was ruled out in Seamus’ accident, but unfortunately not in the case of Courtney Sipes, the 11-year old that was struck and killed in at that same intersection in 2009. The driver who hit her was under the influence of heroin and didn’t even stop to check on the condition of the little girl. She was later sentenced to up to 12 years in prison. Only one year and five months ago, in January, Charles Doonan, 65, and Mirtha Rotkowitz, 61, crossing at the same intersection were struck and injured. A few months later, Mr. Doonan passed away from the injuries he sustained. 

No details have been released yet on the condition of the two sisters hit just recently but we can now unfortunately add the Burgos family to the list of those affected by this dangerous intersection. Let's all hope that the Department of Transportation takes a good hard look at this issue. The area has recently undergone changes, including barriers along Main Street's south curb between Lawrence and Landing Avenues and better pedestrian traffic buttons on crosswalks that trigger traffic lights allowing pedestrians more time to cross. Although this is a good start, is this enough? How many more families have to suffer before something is finally done to prevent these tragedies?

NOTE: There is an event coming up that will be dedicated in Seamus' memory that you can participate in! The Smithtown Children’s Foundation and The Nesconset Chamber of Commerce is holding the . Proceeds from this event will benefit The Smithtown Children’s Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Charity that assists local families in need. They are currently assisting the Byrne Family. Please!

Becky Kopprasch is a two-year resident of Smithtown and long-time resident of surrounding areas, growing up in East Setauket and Port Jefferson. She is Tweetmaster Extraordinaire at Basically Becky, a Social Media Management and Design Firm, where she helps businesses connect to their customers using social media.