4-Year-Old Survivor of Fatal Manorville Crash Heads Home

The four-year-old sister of Jason Trinca – who was killed in an October car crash along with his mother Keri in October – will leave St. Charles Hospital on Thursday after battling a "grueling, intense rehabilitation program."

Marialena Trinca, according to the hospital, suffered a brain injury and broken leg in the Oct. 8 accident, which occurred when a van broadsided a car driven by her mother at the intersection of C.R. 111 and Oceanview Boulevard.

Keri, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene; seven-year-old Jason was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries; and two-year-old Christopher Trinca was released from the hospital about a week later – a feat Keri's husband, Jason Sr., called a "miracle."

Jason Sr. is expected to read a prepared statement on Thursday morning at the hospital, with Marialena and Christopher by his side.

At the time of the accident, doctors said the four-year-old girl had a ways to go, as she was unable to speak, walk or eat when she was admitted. But according to the hospital, "Though she continues to face challenges, Marialena is now able to speak, walk, eat and play."

The accident hit close to home in Riverhead, as Jason was an award-winning go-kart racer at Riverhead Raceway who won Rookie of the Year honors in 2009 and the Kid Kart Championship in 2010. The community held a candlelight vigil at the raceway, and students at Riley Elementary School held a walk-a-thon to raise money for the family.

Charges were never filed in the incident.