BABYLON, N.Y. — A 17-year-old boy from West Babylon was killed Monday afternoon in a devastating motorcycle crash, leaving the community reeling from yet another heartbreaking tragedy.
Police say the teen, identified as Robert Buerkle, was riding a motorcycle when he collided with a Chevy pickup truck around 3 p.m. at the intersection of West Main Street and Tappan Avenue in Babylon.
Buerkle was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The crash scene drew a heavy response from emergency crews, with residents describing a somber and unsettling atmosphere as police and medical personnel arrived.
“It’s really unfortunate,” said Nancy Lee, a Babylon resident. “I hope it will spread awareness to this particular area so that kind of thing doesn’t happen again.”
The tragedy marks the second fatal crash involving teenagers in the West Babylon community in less than a year. In September, two local teens lost their lives in a separate traffic incident, adding to growing concerns about road safety in the area.
As of Tuesday, investigators have not determined the cause of the crash. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured, and no charges have been filed at this time.
Authorities continue to investigate as the West Babylon community mourns the loss of another young life.
