Ilona Kaydanov: NY jogger killed by car on Long Island remembered as 'beautiful creature inside and out'
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A 22-year-old jogger died after being struck by a car on a Long Island road on Thursday morning. While Ilona Kaydanov was killed her two younger brothers survived with injuries.
Kaydanov, a gifted dancer and graduate of Stony Brook University, and her siblings were struck by a 2022 Chrysler Voyager around 8:20 in the morning while running on the northbound shoulder of Harned Road in Commack, according to Suffolk County police, as reported by New York Post.
Where was Ilona Kaydanov declared dead?
Kaydanov, a resident of Commack, was taken to hospital in critical condition and declared dead at South Shore University Hospital.
How are Ilona Kaydanov's brothers doing?
Dennis, 20, and Joseph Kaydanov, 13, her younger brothers, were transported with non-life-threatening wounds to Good Samaritan University Hospital.
Stephanie Falciano, owner of the studio where Ilona danced, texted The Washington Post, "She was like a daughter to me and just the most incredible, beautiful creature inside and out. The hardest worker, smart, talented and beautiful. The world has lost today.”
What did Ilona Kaydanov grandmother say?
Lubov Kaydanov, the siblings' grandmother, stated that her grandchildren go on daily runs together.
Lubov Kaydanov said of Ilona Kaydanov, “Beautiful. She did ballroom dancing. She played violin. She sang. She was a very good musician."
What was Ilona Kaydanov studying?
According to her professional website, Kaydanov worked in the communications industry and had just earned an MBA in marketing from Stony Brook University.
Francis Floyd, a Bay Shore resident who was driving the Chrysler minivan, and her two adult passengers, a 44-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man, were unharmed in the collision, according to police.
Although the driver's car was impounded for a safety inspection and the crash is being investigated, authorities have not yet announced any charges.
Residents of Harned Road told PIX11 News they are not surprised the crash happened.
Neighbor Joe Pollari said, “They are flying by here every day, She’s not the only who’s died here by the way. There’s been others on that turn. I didn’t go to see the actual site, but I know there’s been accidents up that way. I know someone died on a motorcycle a few years back.”