Long Island Mourns Student-Athlete Killed In Crash

BRENTWOOD, NY — Long Island is mourning the loss of a 19-year-old SUNY Old Westbury student from Brentwood who died earlier this month in a crash on the Southern State Parkway.

Tania Bonilla died July 18 after she crashed her Honda Civic. Four passengers in the car survived.

Many expressed condolences for the Brentwood High School graduate and first-year student at SUNY Old Westbury. She is remembered by friends, family and teammates as a talented soccer player, starting as a defender in 13 games of her 18 appearances, according to a statement from SUNY Old Westbury.

"Our soccer family is completely devastated about Tania's tragic death. We do not plan for this when we speak about our goals and dreams," said Betty Bohringer, SUNY Old Westbury's head women's soccer coach. "Tania's life was cut much too short and she had so much to share and experience with us.S he made us all better people and players. A piece of us died along with her and we hope that she had our strength and comfort as she passed."

During a game against Mitchell College last year, Bonilla delivered her first career assist to classmate Britney Graham for the game's opening goal in the 34th minute. She followed by setting up classmate Bernadelle Dorvil with a feed to double the team's advantage and help secure a 4-2 road victory.

Then in a game against Skyline Conference foe Purchase College, Bonilla's throw-in found the boot of Jessica Pedroza to extend Old Westbury's lead to three goals (4-1) and help the team make its return to the conference championship for the first time since 2015.

Bohringer said the team plans on honoring Bonilla when the soccer season resumes.

"It will be a long time, if we ever can move on from the unexplained timeliness from this accident. My sympathy and condolences to the Bonilla family, the Brentwood community, the SUNY Old Westbury family and everyone that was touched by Tania's living spirit," she said. "Tania – You had so much more to give, you were taken much too soon and we will all remember and play soccer for you forever."

Bonilla excelled in the classroom, earning at least a 3.0 GPA to land on the Fall 2019 Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll. She participated in community service projects, including Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's annual Turkey Trot.

"Tania will be missed throughout the Old Westbury Athletics community," said SUNY Old Westbury Director of Athletics Lenore J. Walsh. "Her loss has affected our teams, our staff and the connections she had within the Skyline Conference. Tania made a significant impact as a Panther by being a model student-athlete achieving academic success while participating as a member of the women's soccer team ... Her presence and passion for the game will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bonilla family and to all friends of Tania."

Following her death, Bonilla's cousin, Ana Campos, started a GoFundMe effort to help her family cover the cost of funeral expenses.

"Many of us are at a loss of words," Campos wrote. "Tania was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, teammate and great friend to many. She was always filled with joy and happiness. This hits home to many people, including the strong bond many of us have with the Brentwood Soccer Community. We are all trying to cope with the idea of losing such a young life."

She started the fundraiser July 19 with a goal of raising $20,000 for the family. As of Wednesday, supporters have raised $28,134.

"Tania's parents and siblings are going through a great deal of pain and stress at the moment," Campos wrote. "In times of need our community always comes together with generosity and support and I hope that everyone can come together for this."