Staten Island, NY – In a devastating incident on Sunday night, a horrific crash on the Staten Island Expressway claimed the lives of two young women, leaving the community in mourning. The victims have been identified as Jianna Pischetola of Midland Beach and Gabriella Shammas of Dyker Heights, both 22 years old.
The tragic accident unfolded when Jianna Lucia Pischetola was driving a 2023 Chevy Corvette eastbound on the expressway near the Hylan Boulevard/Clove Road exit around 11 p.m. The vehicle struck a guardrail, leading to a catastrophic chain of events. Despite the efforts of first responders, both Jianna Pischetola and Gabriella Shammas were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash also involved a 2018 Ford F150 pickup truck with three occupants, all of whom miraculously escaped without injuries, according to the police.
The preliminary investigation by the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Squad revealed that the Corvette lost control, striking a divider between the main roadway and an exit lane for Hylan Boulevard. The Corvette then overturned onto the main roadway and collided with the passenger side of the pickup truck, which was traveling in the middle lane of the expressway.
Tragically, the Corvette continued to skid along the Brooklyn-bound lanes before coming to a halt in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, where it burst into flames. Jianna Pischetola suffered severe trauma and was declared dead on the scene, as was Gabriella Shammas, who was ejected from the vehicle.
This tragic accident was one of three separate collisions that occurred on Sunday in the city, resulting in a total of four fatalities. In addition to the Staten Island Expressway crash, a motorcyclist lost his life on New Dorp Lane, and another fatal collision involving an electric bike rider occurred on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Diandra Pischetola to support the family of Jianna Pischetola during this difficult time which stated:
“It is with our deepest regret to announce the passing of our beloved child, sister, aunt, and friend Jianna-Lucia Pischetola.
Jianna was a dynamo, a force to be reckoned with. She lived with gusto. Small but mighty. She was fierce. She loved fiercely, believed in those she loved fiercely, and was a champion of the underdog. Tough as nails on the outside but warm and tender on the inside. She stood tall behind any who needed her. Jianna filled any room she entered and all felt the warmth of her love, affection and attention. Jianna had an unparalleled ability to make you believe in yourself more than anyone else could. She had the unique ability to make you feel there was nothing to fear and there was nothing you could not conquer.
Jianna was driven and motivated with so much life to live and would help anyone in need. Jianna was the sharpest tack in the box. She was the most selfless, graceful young woman with knowledge well beyond her years. We will miss the warmth of her radiance and the sun has gone from our skies. Each and every day without our beloved Jianna will feel like a thousand years.
This GoFundMe is to help cover funeral and end of life expenses for our Jianna-Lucia Pischetola. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will help ease this unforeseen financial burden. No amount big or small will go unnoticed.
In Jianna’s memory, we will carry the legacy of her incredible heart, her beautiful energy, the music she loved to write and the love she had for her family.
We thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts for any generosity you choose to share.
With the upmost gratitude,
The Pischetolas”
Jianna is remembered as a vibrant, compassionate individual who left a lasting impact on all who knew her. The campaign seeks to alleviate the financial burden of funeral and end-of-life expenses, with any donations, regardless of size, being greatly appreciated.
As the community grapples with these tragic losses, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of Jianna Pischetola, Gabriella Shammas, and all those affected by these heartbreaking accidents.
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