A fatal accident at the intersection of Muttontown/East Woods Road and Route 106 in Muttontown on Monday, June 10, occurred just hours after a Muttontown/East Woods Road resident spoke to the village board about speeding in the area.

Funeral wreaths are hung on the LIPA pole at the intersection where Westbury residents Sophia Bretous, 23, and Jean Desir, 31, were killed when their 1993 Jeep was hit by two cars - a Mercedes and a Corvette driven side by side north on Route 106 - as it executed the left turn on Muttontown/East Woods Road. The accident occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m.

The two young drivers, Kyle Soukup, 17, and Blake Slade, 19, both of Brookville, were arrested on Friday, June 14 and charged with two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, one count for each person killed. All the cars were impounded and are currently undergoing a variety of safety tests and inspections.

Lt. Farrell of the Homicide Squad said, "The speed they were going is not determined but it was greatly in excess of the posted speed limit. It's a terrible tragedy." The speed limit on the road is 55 mph.

At the June 10 monthly Muttontown board meeting, James Robbins, a resident of East Woods/Muttontown Road said he had come to speak about two issues: speeding and garbage along East Woods Road. It is the portion of Muttontown Road nearest to Syosset.

"People drive (on East Woods Road) as if they are on the Autobahn," said Robbins. "The average speed is 60 to 65 mph. It's dangerous if something is not done." East Woods Road was designed as a 35 m.p.h. road.

Robbins added that when residents try to egress or access the local roads, drivers blow their horns at them.

Trustee Ed Henn commented on speeding in general, saying, "If you drive on the LIE at 55 m.p.h., they pass you. On Route 106 they've been clocked at 95 m.p.h. They are speeding everywhere."

In the past, residents have called the police, but there is just not enough enforcement. "We know it's a county road, but we need your help," Robbins said.

Deputy Mayor Perry Welch said they were aware of the speeding on East Woods Road and said that was why they put in the double line that indicates no crossing. He added that the police are putting out their speed calming signs to alert people to how fast they are going on that road.

"We've asked them to watch the road," said Welch. "I've seen an unmarked car parked there. I've talked to the police chief and asked what else he can do. We are thinking about marking 35 MPH on the pavement itself, but we are not sure."

Trustee Russell Corker said, "If you put up stop signs you create more rear-enders, according to studies."

Robbins said he believed stop signs would work by slowing down the traffic, which he said "created a wind tunnel effect on the road."

Police Commissioner Welch is expected to follow up on these concerns.