EAST HAMPTON, NY — The East Hampton community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Scarleth S. Urgiles, an 18-year-old East Hampton High School student who was killed in a devastating car crash Sunday evening, June 15, on Old Stone Highway. The collision, now the subject of a criminal investigation, involved a suspected intoxicated driver and injured multiple others.
According to East Hampton Town Police, Scarleth was one of seven passengers in a 2009 Toyota Camry that veered off the road and crashed into a tree before overturning. She was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. The crash occurred shortly after the vehicle swerved to avoid an oncoming car on the narrow, winding road, prosecutors said.
Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo Fuertes, a 19-year-old East Hampton High School graduate now residing in Moriches, was identified as the driver of the vehicle. He was arraigned Monday afternoon in East Hampton Town Justice Court on multiple charges, including a felony DWI under Leandra’s Law — which makes it a crime to drive intoxicated with minors in the car — as well as misdemeanor DWI and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police say two minors, ages 15 and 17, were passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The Suffolk County Crime Lab and investigators from East Hampton are continuing to collect evidence, and additional charges, including manslaughter, may be filed as the case develops.
During the arraignment, Barrionuevo Fuertes sobbed as bail was set at $400,000. His family, also present in the courtroom, was visibly emotional, with his parents and other relatives weeping as the charges were read. His attorney, Melissa Aguanno, stated the family was unable to post bail.
Also critically injured in the crash was Jennifer Amon-Barrers, 18, of East Hampton, who was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital’s Trauma Center. She remains in serious but stable condition. The five other passengers, ranging in age from 15 to 19, were transported to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to prosecutors, the group had been returning from a beach outing when Barrionuevo Fuertes allegedly lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid an approaching car, overcorrecting and ultimately crashing into a tree before the vehicle flipped.
This tragic incident has once again drawn attention to Old Stone Highway, a narrow, winding stretch of road that has been the site of multiple fatal accidents in recent years.
As the investigation continues, the East Hampton school community is in mourning. Scarleth Urgiles, described by classmates and teachers as kind, hardworking, and full of promise, was expected to graduate soon. Her death leaves a deep wound among her peers, family, and friends who had looked forward to celebrating her future.
Counselors have been made available at East Hampton High School to support grieving students and staff in the wake of the tragedy.
This is a developing story, and more details will be released as the investigation progresses. Anyone with additional information about the crash is urged to contact East Hampton Town Police.