The 13-year-old girl seriously injured in a tragic crash Monday that killed her older sister is still listed in critical condition, Nassau County police said.
The teen, identified by the Malverne Union Free School District as Elizabeth Garcia Gamez, was ejected from the car during the crash and suffered severe head and body trauma, police said.
Her 15-year-old sister, Cindy Garcia, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 10:31 p.m. on Monday, police said.
Malverne Union Free School District Superintendent Dr. James Hunderfund expressed condolences to the teens’ family and friends in a statement released online.
“It is with great sadness to learn of the car accident that took the life of Cindy Garcia and left her younger sister Elizabeth Garcia Gamez critically injured,” he said.
Hunderfund said Cindy, a sophomore at Malverne High School, entered the district in the ninth grade and was a “positive and happy spirited girl who was liked by many people.”
“In the short time that she was with us,” he said of Cindy, who enjoyed playing soccer, “she left a huge impact within our district.”
Her younger sister Elizabeth, an eight grader at Howard T. Herber Middle School, has been recognized as a scholar-athlete for her prowess on the soccer field and in the classroom.
“A high honor roll student, Elizabeth has a warm personality and is extremely well-loved by her teachers and peers,” Hunderfund said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family and wish her a quick and full recovery,” he added.
Police have yet to officially identify the sisters.
The two teens were riding in a 2000 Toyota being driven by their 19-year-old cousin, police said, when the car collided with a 2009 Toyota making a U-turn near West Merrick Road and Boden Avenue around 9:23 p.m.
The car the sisters were passengers in struck several parking meters after the collision and then slammed into a utility pole, police said.
The 31-year-old man behind the wheel of the other Toyota was not injured.
Police are investigating the crash but said it doesn’t appear to be criminal.
