The wife and young child of a man killed in a tragic head-on crash in Greenport Saturday are struggling to send his body home for burial.
According to Sister Margaret of the North Fork Spanish Apostolate, the family of Bartolone Miguel, 34, of Peconic, who died on Saturday night after a head-on crash on Route 25 in Greenport, came to her office for help on Monday. Sister Margaret said Miguel left behind a wife and small son and had been employed in the area at the Pellegrini Winery in Cutchogue; his boss also came with his widow to try and help. “He was a very respected employee,” Sister Margaret said.
Now, she said, his family is struggling to send his body home for burial to Guatemala; donations can be sent to the North Fork Spanish Apostolate, she said. “We always need funds,” Sister Margaret said.
Meanwhile, the driver charged with DWI after the crash, John Costello of Greenport, remains hospitalized at Stony Brook University Hospital in “fair” condition, according to Melissa Weir, director of hospital media relations.
Costello was able to post $250 bail while still in the hospital, police said.
According to police, Costello 71, was heading eastbound in his 2008 Chevy pickup when he crossed the double yellow line, entered the oncoming lane of traffic and crashed into a 2006 Honda driven by Oseas Manell Ramirez, 22, of Peconic at about 6:54 p.m. Saturday.
Miguel, 34, a passenger in the Honda, succumbed to his injuries Saturday night at Eastern Long Island Hospital, police said.. Ramirez was treated at ELIH and released.
Costello was found to be intoxicated, arrested, and charged with DWI, a misdemeanor, police said. He was transported to ELIH and then taken by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital, according to a police press release.
Investigations by Southold police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office continue, police said.
Costello is the owner of Costello Marine Contracting in Greenport, police confirmed Sunday; he is also a former Greenport Village Trustee.
Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said Costello was being treated for “non-life-threatening” injuries.
While it was raining heavily at the time of the accident, Flatley said it has not yet been determined if the weather was a factor in the crash.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
