Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

Hello everyone,
I'm sure many of you have heard about the tragic accident on the Wantagh Parkway Bike Path.

Matthew Scarpati, only 19 years old was changing his tire on the bike path that is located within feet of the parkway. A drunk motorcyclist struck Matthew and was fatally wounded.

I just found this group on facebook to place a guard rail on the Wantagh Parkway.
Looks like it was established back in February.
It's called:
Guard Rail for Wantagh Parkway Bike Path and is dedicated to Matthew Scarpati.
Members of the family have joined the group and are asking for help in any way, either by joining the group, and/or inviting your friends to join too, or even post some contacts that may help.
You can search facebook for the group, or
if anyone would like the link, please DM me.
Looks like there's also a group to raise money for the family's charity. It's a charity bike ride that costs $5 per person.
Hope you can help them, it would mean so much.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

Also, there is a twitter account set up called
wantaghbikepath.
They are having a charity bicycle ride sometime in August...
I plan on going.
any questions, please FM me...

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

also, please please take the survey on wantagh.li 's website. It asks if you think a guard rail should be installed on the wantagh parkway bike path. It's at the very top of the page. Click on the arrow, choose YES and submit.
Please, the family needs all the help they can get to get this guard rail installed asap.
It's for the safety of all of us.
Any questions, please DM me.
Thanks for all of your help.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

I just went to the web site and voted. It was very easy and only took a few seconds.

I'm so sorry for that family and hope that they can get this done so that a little something can come from their grief.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

what a terrible thing. I never understood why they didn't put one up a long time ago. They do so much meaningless work on that parkway - you think this would be on the list! Every year they are paving, widening, planting random bushes that die.... I'm def. going to vote!

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

I couldn't agree more how much a safety rail is needed. Can you post the link where to vote? I couldn't find it on the site. I am so sorry for that young man.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

Posted by TuttsyLow

I couldn't agree more how much a safety rail is needed. Can you post the link where to vote? I couldn't find it on the site. I am so sorry for that young man.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

I will definitely go vote. He was either pledging or a brother in my husbands fraternity at UB. I heard alot of the brothers went to support the family. I will pass this information to my husband who can let all the brothers know to vote as well. So sad.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

Hello everyone,
The bike charity event for Matt will not take place in August. Looks more like spring 2010. They want to take their time and make sure it is done right.

Also, if anyone can help with getting petitions signed, please let me know by forum mailing me and I'll give you the link. You can print a petition, complete it and mail it back, but it must be back no later than August 17th. The family will be meeting with Senator Fuschillo next week and will present the petitions to him at that time.

It's such a great cause. I hope it doesn't take too long to accomplish.

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

Here's an article I found about the guard rail:
Railing for Safety

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

And today's Newsday article:
Guard Rail Article

Re: Fatal accident on Wantagh Parkway Bike Path

I have been so active in this.
More guard rail petitions are needed.
Can anyone help? I've been contacting local fire departments and they have been so great.
Does anyone have any other suggestions, or if you would like to print out some petitions,
and drop them off at your local bike store, school, anywhere you think would help-
here's the link for the petition:
Wantagh Parkway bike path Guard Rail Petition
The mailing address is located at the top of the petition sheet. You just have to mail them back when they've been completed.
Hope you can help. I can't believe I've already collected almost 300 in just 2 weeks.
There's also a flyer you can print out too if you want to hang them in local stores to help spread the word.
Here's the link for that too:
Wantagh Parkway bike path flyer
This is such a great community service and a great way to teach your kids about helping others. Please join me in helping out. It's for such a great cause.