One woman is dead and her sister is still fighting for her life after a horrific car accident in South Ozone Park, and an NYPD detective is accused of causing the crash while under the influence. NY1's Angi Gonzalez filed the following report.
The Long Island home where Vanessa Raghubar lived with her aunt is now a shrine to the 22-year-old who died Monday following a two-car crash early Sunday morning.
Authorities have identified the other driver as NYPD Detective Neville Smith, now accused of driving while intoxicated - among other charges.
"She is my baby and she'll never come back home," said Esther Mongul, the victim's aunt.
Of the photos on display, most include Raghubar's half-sister, Maria, who was also critically injured in the collision.
Saturday night, the pair wrapped up a family dinner celebrating Maria's 21st Birthday, then headed out with their boyfriends to a party.
The foursome later returned to Vanessa's boyfriend's house in Briarwood around 3:15 a.m. Sunday to drop him off.
"I told her, you know, to text me once you get home, because you know, she always lets me know her whereabouts," said Jonathan Samlal, the victim's boyfriend.
That text never came. Only about 10 minutes away from her boyfriend's house, police say Vanessa Raghubar's vehicle was rear ended by Detective Smith's BMW on the Van Wyck. The crash sent her car into a tree and light pole before coming to a stop near the exit for Rockaway Blvd.
"The whole back of the car was smashed in. It's not a car anymore," Mongul said.
The Raghubar sisters suffered the most severe injuries. Maria's boyfriend, who was in the front passenger seat, was also hurt, but not seriously.
Officials say Detective Smith was also hospitalized but has now been suspended without pay.
Those close to the sisters say they want to see him punished for anguish he's caused.
"I just hope that he is penalized to the fullest extent," Samlal said.
"I would really, really like to see justice," Mongul said.
Vanessa, who just started a new job two weeks ago and would've graduated from York College next month, will now be buried in the coming days.
In the meantime, Maria's recovery continues, with another surgery scheduled for Wednesday.