Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) today joined the family and loved ones of Angelica Nappi to unveil a new street sign officially designating a portion of Woodside Avenue in Medford as “Angelica Nappi Avenue.” The dedication marks a solemn but powerful tribute to the 14-year-old Holbrook girl whose life was tragically cut short in 2008 by a reckless driver with a long history of license suspensions.

Angelica was a passenger in a vehicle that was broadsided by a Jeep driven by a man who had seven previous driver’s license suspensions and whose license had been revoked earlier that same day. She was airlifted to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital and placed on life support, but succumbed to her injuries three days later. The driver ultimately faced only a misdemeanor and served less than six months in jail, prompting community outrage and a years-long effort to strengthen traffic safety laws.

“This is a fitting tribute to Angelica, whose life was tragically cut short by a reckless driver with a long history of license suspensions,” said DeStefano. “Naming this intersection in her honor ensures her story is never forgotten and reinforces our shared responsibility to make New York’s streets safer for everyone by keeping dangerous drivers off the road.”

Angelica’s parents, Dawn and Joe Nappi, joined the unveiling alongside Sen. Dean Murray, Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne and representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Each speaker emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance in keeping dangerous drivers off the road and underscored the human toll behind traffic fatalities.

In 2023, the state Legislature passed and Governor Kathy Hochul signed Angelica’s Law (2023 Bill S.4671), sponsored by DeStefano and Sen. Murray. The law lowers the threshold of prior suspensions needed for a driver to be charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reducing it from 10 suspensions to five. The offense now carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.

“Let this place stand not only as a memorial, but also as a powerful reminder of our ongoing commitment to vigilance, accountability and the priceless value of every human life,” DeStefano added. “In Angelica’s name, let us continue our efforts to protect our streets and the people we love.”

Under Resolution No. 1117-2024, Woodside Avenue between Mercury Avenue and County Road 101 will now be known as “Angelica Nappi Avenue.” The Suffolk County Department of Public Works has been directed to take all necessary actions to effectuate the renaming.