On a solemn morning in Patchogue, the life of 14-year-old Angelica Nappi was honored in a ceremony that turned tragedy into transformation, as elected officials, community members, and the Nappi family gathered to unveil new street signage officially renaming a portion of Woodside Avenue as “Angelica Nappi Avenue.”
The street renaming, spanning from Mercury Avenue to County Route 101, is not just a tribute to the young Holbrook girl who died in 2008 after being struck by a reckless driver with seven prior license suspensions, but also a lasting reminder of the movement she inspired—culminating in the passage of Angelica’s Law, a statewide measure signed by the governor in 2023 to hold serial unlicensed drivers more accountable.
“This is a fitting tribute to Angelica, whose life was tragically cut short by a driver who should have never been behind the wheel,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, who co-sponsored Angelica’s Law. “Naming this intersection in her honor ensures that her story is never forgotten. It reminds us that behind every traffic fatality, there is a name, a face, and a family that is left forever changed. Let this place stand not only as a memorial, but also as a powerful reminder of our ongoing commitment to vigilance, accountability, and the priceless value of every human life.”
Angelica’s death sparked widespread outrage after it was revealed that the man who broadsided the car she was riding in had his license revoked earlier that same morning. Despite his long history of violations, he served less than six months in jail. In response, the community rallied behind the Nappi family, pushing for change that finally arrived in the form of Angelica’s Law, which reduces the threshold of prior moving violation suspensions required to charge a driver with a felony, and increases penalties to up to two years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
Her father, Joseph Nappi, stood at the site of the crash Thursday morning with a heavy heart and a powerful message. “This is a real honor in Angelica’s memory,” he said. “We’re turning a negative into a positive to save lives. God put us through this so we could turn it around to help others avoid such a tragedy.”
The effort to rename the road was spearheaded by Suffolk Legislator Dominick Thorne, who sponsored a unanimously adopted resolution to honor Angelica. He praised her family members for their courage and emphasized the lasting impact of her story.
“This is a moment of remembrance and an effort to move people to think about what’s going on over our roads and convince them to be more careful,” Thorne said. “People need to find out about Angelica and make sure they don’t end a life and ruin many others. We must turn this tragedy into triumph. Keep in mind the life you save may be your own or someone you love.”
Her mother, Dawn Riendeau, acknowledged the difficulty of returning to the site where her daughter’s life was cut short. “This day is very emotional; coming to the site of the crash is very difficult,” she said, holding back tears. “We’re doing something, so her life was not in vain. We made a promise to help make sure other families don’t go through this. People will remember her bear and her smiling face and think about the decisions they make.”
The girl’s sister, Nicolette, poured out her heart in two books in her memory: “Memories of Angelica” and “Afterwhile, A True Crime Memoir,” which details the family’s years-long struggle to change the state law. The book is a “testament to the power of faith, forgiveness, and resilience,” the back cover reads. “Witness a young girl grappling with immense grief transform into a woman who finds strength and purpose in her fight for justice.”
Senator Dean Murray, who co-sponsored the law, pointed to the power of Angelica’s memory to change behavior and save lives. “We hope people see Angelica’s signs and ask, ‘Who is that?’” Murray said of the county markers renaming the road between CR 101 and Mercury Avenue. “We want them to Google it or ask ChatGPT so they can find out her story and think twice before getting behind the wheel when they should not be driving.”
Isai Fuentes, a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), spoke at the event and emphasized the ripple effect of such tragedies. “Two out of three people are impacted by drunk drivers during their lifetime,” Fuentes said. “But this family took pain and made it a purpose—to benefit the community and the state.”
Angelica’s mother, who has long advocated for tougher laws and more public awareness, closed her remarks with a simple, powerful reminder: “We’re here because of her—because of Angelica—and we’ll never stop fighting to make sure no other family goes through what we did.”
As the new street signs were revealed and a small bear placed at the site in Angelica’s honor, the mood was reflective but resolute. The loss remains unfathomable, but her name now stands watch over a road she once traveled, urging every driver who passes to remember and to choose responsibility.