In Loving Memory of Angel Salas: Standing Together Against Impaired Driving on Long Island
- Brett Leitner
- Aug 3
- 7 min read
On the Long Island Expressway in Suffolk County, 9-year-old Angel Salas lost his life to a senseless tragedy—a crash caused by an impaired driver who was speeding at 119mph, under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana, and driving with a revoked license.
Angel, a bright and loving child, was in his booster seat when the collision occurred. Despite courageous efforts by first responders and doctors, he was declared brain dead two days later and became an organ donor, saving three lives. His mother, Juliana Salas, now shines a light on this preventable heartbreak, urging everyone to make safer choices behind the wheel.
Angel’s Legacy & the Fight Against Impaired Driving
Juliana Salas bravely channels her loss into advocacy—sharing her story at press conferences and with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to encourage New Yorkers to pause and reconsider before driving while impaired. This movement is part of a renewed campaign (“Drive Safe Long Island”) to raise awareness, increase enforcement, and prevent future tragedies on our roads.
Key Facts:
The driver responsible was sentenced to 4.5–13.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies.
Angel’s passing inspired statewide traffic safety initiatives and reinforced calls for stricter DWI enforcement and tougher penalties in New York.
Juliana’s message: “I don’t want another mother to feel this pain. We are always held accountable for our choices… Just love yourself, love your neighbor. It starts at home with your family. Just be kind.”
Raising Awareness: New York’s Fight Against Impaired Driving
New York’s STOP-DWI program seeks to reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes through education, enforcement, and support for victims. Every county, including Suffolk, participates in this critical initiative, coordinating local programs and reinvesting fines into prevention and recovery efforts.
What New Yorkers Need to Know:
Drunk and drug-impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable injury and death—especially for children who rely on responsible adults for safety.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and local partners have ramped up safety campaigns and enforcement on high-risk roadways like the LIE.
Community members can access education, school and support programs, and free resources through STOP-DWI and related organizations.
How You Can Help Prevent Tragedies Like This
Never drive impaired—reserve a designated driver, rideshare, or call a friend.
Speak up if someone you know is about to drive under the influence.
Support local and state-wide safety campaigns like “Drive Safe Long Island.”
Remember Angel’s story the next time you get behind the wheel—one choice can change a life forever.
Watch Juliana Salas’ Message
You can view Juliana Salas sharing her story and plea in the video from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee:
If Your Family Has Been Affected
If you or someone you love has suffered due to an impaired driver, Leitner Warywoda stands ready to support you. Our team is dedicated to seeking justice for families impacted by wrongful death, personal injury, and preventable loss on New York’s roads. Contact us for compassionate legal guidance and advocacy.
Let’s honor Angel’s legacy by driving responsibly and holding each other accountable. No more victims.
Read Newsday’s coverage here:
Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and Partners Announce Safety Effort to Curb Dangerous Driving on Long Island
The “Drive Safe Long Island” campaign is a focused effort driven by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and its partners to deter impaired driving, reduce speeding and increase safety for pedestrians.
Over the course of the summer and early fall, GTSC will coordinate public events, special traffic enforcement mobilizations, and community outreach to highlight dangerous driving behaviors that have led to deadly crashes on Long Island.
“Long Island has so much to offer with its beautiful beaches, wonderful parks, great neighborhoods and proximity to New York City,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and GTSC Chair. “GTSC has long supported and funded efforts to address these traffic safety issues on Long Island, but still more needs to be done. Drivers must be aware that behavioral changes are needed to make the roads safer for all who use them. Everyone has a role to play in roadway safety.”
Among the reasons for the new campaign are some alarming statistics:
Nassau and/or Suffolk counties are among the most dangerous counties in the state for traffic crashes and fatalities.
In 2024, traffic crashes killed or injured 29,428 people on Long Island.
From 2022 to 2024, the number of pedestrians injured or killed in crashes across Nassau and Suffolk counties increased 10%, with 58 pedestrians losing their lives to crashes in 2024.
In 2023, 881 people on Long Island were injured in crashes where the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs. Alcohol- or drug-involved crashes claimed the lives of 124 people on Long Island in 2023.
Speed kills. In 2024, 62 people lost their lives to speed‑related crashes on Long Island. In the same year, 2,859 people were injured in crashes due to speeding.
As part of the “Drive Safe Long Island” campaign, GTSC is partnering with the Long Island Ducks to promote traffic safety at their games. GTSC’s safety messages are mentioned when a Ducks player draws a walk, and additional general traffic safety messaging is given over the public address and radio broadcasts before and during the game.
Sean Smith, General Manager of the Ducks, said, “The Long Island Ducks have been proud to provide affordable family entertainment to the community for 25 years. Our ballpark has become a prominent community marketing venue for all types of organizations, and we are happy to support the GTSC’s message in keeping Long Islanders as safe as possible.”
GTSC, in partnership with local law enforcement, STOP‑DWI and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), coordinated a targeted enforcement mobilization that will run from July 31 to August 3, to get dangerous drivers off the road. During the mobilization, drivers who are stopped will be given a card describing the life and tragic death of Angel David Salas, a 9-year‑old boy who was killed in 2022 by an alcohol- and drug-impaired driver speeding on the Long Island Expressway, with a revoked license. Angel’s mother, Juliana Salas, is working with GTSC to spread the word about her son’s life and encourage her fellow Long Islanders to drive safely.
Juliana Salas said, “Whether you’re celebrating or you’re in pain, you have agency over your choices. God knows your heart and he will carry you through, but it’s up to you to make the choice before you get behind the wheel how you’re going to go home. There’s other travelers on the road and the children shouldn’t have to pay the consequences for our actions, so choose the right.” Salas spoke to members of the community during a GTSC‑sponsored event on Thursday, and her story will be shared on social media as part of a larger community outreach effort spearheaded by GTSC.
Thursday’s event and the corresponding enforcement blitz are just the start of a series of focused traffic safety events GTSC will conduct on Long Island throughout the summer and into early fall. In addition, GTSC has funneled millions of highway safety grants to Nassau and Suffolk County to help curb dangerous driving across the region.
This year, GTSC has funded $1,469,284 in grants to partners in Nassau and Suffolk counties to address critical traffic safety issues. That funding includes:
A regional downstate traffic safety resource prosecutor in Suffolk County
$253,705 to the Suffolk County Police Department for traffic safety initiatives
$172,500 to the Nassau County Police Department to help address the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer
$124,319 to the Coalition for Transportation Safety to address pedestrian safety in Queens and Nassau counties
$134,375 to address bicycle and pedestrian safety in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
All told, GTSC provided 45 grants to different partners this year to address traffic safety on Long Island.
The EAC Network (Empower, Assist, Care) is a non‑profit on Long Island that works on these issues as well. They have received $241,242 in grants this year to help make our roads safer. That includes their Kids Cars ’n Consequences program, which has conducted programming—virtually and in‑person—to over 1,815 students in Suffolk County.
The DMV’s Field Investigations Unit is also regularly at concerts at Jones Beach to make sure underage guests are not using fake IDs to purchase alcoholic beverages as part of efforts to prevent impaired driving.
“Too many lives are being lost on Long Island because of reckless choices behind the wheel,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “Whether it’s driving under the influence, speeding, or ignoring pedestrian safety, these actions have consequences. The State Police will continue working with GTSC and our local partners to hold dangerous drivers accountable and to protect everyone who uses our roads.”
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Safety is always the top priority of the New York State Department of Transportation and our crews work around‑the‑clock to help make sure that Long Islanders can get where they need to go safely and with a minimum of hassles. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and I urge everyone to drive carefully, slow down and pay attention, especially in work zones. Lives are at stake.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said, “Nine‑year‑old Angel Salas’s life was stolen by a driver who was drunk, high and traveling 119 mph on the Long Island Expressway. This insanity must stop. This past year, the leadership of the New York State legislature would not let the Drugged Driving bill even come up for a vote, despite a majority of members supporting the bill. While we continue to work on prevention, education and treatment, along with our Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor and all our partners, we must close the loopholes that exist in New York law.”
“The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is out on the front lines every night to prevent impaired and reckless driving from destroying lives,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “This new campaign is another powerful tool in our shared mission to keep Long Island’s roadways safe.”
“The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer are a stark reminder that dangerous driving peaks when our roads are busiest and our teen drivers are the most vulnerable during this time,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “By working with our law enforcement partners and the community, we’re combining education, enforcement, and outreach to prevent senseless tragedies caused by impaired, distracted and reckless driving.”
Caroline Flynn, Suffolk County’s STOP‑DWI Program Coordinator, said, “Impaired driving can forever change your life, the lives of your family members and other innocent people you share the road with. You could lose your license and pay thousands in fines and court fees. The risks aren’t worth a few hours of fun. Take 5 minutes before you walk out the door to make a plan – whether it be a rideshare service, a designated driver or a place to safely keep your car.”
