Hempstead school mourns teen killed in crash

A day after a Locust Valley teen died in a two-car accident, the president of her high school said students and officials are continuing to grieve over the loss.

Isabella Grasso, 17, a senior at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, was killed Monday in Lattingtown when the 2003 Mercedes-Benz she was driving crossed over the double yellow line and collided with a 1998 Ford Explorer driven by an unidentified 17-year-old from Locust Valley, police said.

Tuesday afternoon, Sister Jeanne Marie Ross, president of Sacred Heart Academy, said students at the school spent the day reflecting on Grasso's life and reminiscing about her time with them.

"She was an integral part of her class," Sister Ross said. "She had a lot of friends. . . . She was really working hard. . . . She tried to be welcoming and inclusive of everyone."

Sister Ross described Grasso as a "good student" and "very smart girl." She also said Grasso recently participated in a schoolwide competitive activity night where she helped her team win a dance competition by performing like a Rockette. "It was obvious that she wanted a united team," Sister Ross said of that night.

At Grasso's Locust Valley home, there were food trays and fruit baskets Tuesday.

Her relatives could not be reached for comment.

The teenage boy involved in the crash suffered injuries to his chest and arms, and was taken to a hospital, police said. The police could not offer an update on this condition Tuesday.

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements for Grasso were announced Tuesday. Visitation will be held at Dodge Thomas Funeral Home in Glen Cove Thursday and Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass for her will be said at St. Dominic's Church in Oyster Bay on Saturday. She will be buried at Locust Valley Cemetery.