Human Interest Human Interest News Tragedy News High School Senior Dies in Crash After Hitting Tree During Lunch Break: 'Tragic End to a Beautiful Soul' Dylan Nuccio, 17, had recently gotten his license and "loved" his car, according to a family friend By Abigail Adams Abigail Adams Abigail Adams is a Human Interest Writer and Reporter for PEOPLE. She has been working in journalism for seven years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 4, 2024 12:23PM EST Close Dylan Thomas Nuccio. Photo: William E. Law Funeral Home A New York teenager died after driving into a tree on Long Island. Dylan Nuccio, 17, of Farmingdale, was pronounced dead Tuesday morning off of the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway in North Massapequa, according to the Nassau County Police Department. The Eighth Precinct Police responded to the scene along the northbound ramp at exit 5 around 10:30 a.m. local time, where a 2019 BMW and Nuccio’s body were located. The BMW, which was found “on its side” at the scene, appeared to have “left the roadway” before entering the wooded area and “striking a tree," police said. "This is a tragic end to a beautiful soul, a happy child who, unfortunately, was dealt some really tough hands in his life," said family friend Anthony De Mieri, according to CBS affiliate WCBS-TV. De Mieri said Nuccio "just got his license" and "loved" his car. Girl, 9, Among 3 Generations of a Family Killed in Texas Car Crash Just Days After Christmas Nuccio was a senior at Plainedge High School, said superintendent Edward A. Salina, Jr. in a message to the district on Tuesday. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The teen was on his lunch break at the time of the crash, WCBS-TV and News 12 Long Island reported. N.H. Man Dressed as the Grinch Crashes Car into Business on Christmas Night In his message, the superintendent said that "until further notice, high school students are not permitted to leave for lunch and free periods." This is the second major tragedy the family has faced in the last two years. Nuccio’s father Thomas died of COVID-19 in 2021, according to WCBS-TV. Nuccio’s mother Colleen, who has two other children, is a school teacher in Plainedge, according to the station. Mom Killed While Retrieving Luggage That Had Fallen Out of Car During Family Trip "We are going to have to grieve and move forward, and, hopefully, we can just remember him as the beautiful young star he was about to be,” De Mieri said. Counselors have been made available to students and staff in the wake of the “tragic loss,” Salina said. “We are deeply saddened by this loss to our school community and will make every effort to support our staff, students, and families,” the superintendent added. An investigation is ongoing, according to the NCPD. Nuccio’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday at St. James RC Church in Seaford, per his obituary.