Ballroom dancer Ilona Kaydanov, 22, killed and her two brothers, Dennis and Joseph injured after they were hit by a car while out jogging in Long Island: Grandmom says she was ‘too young to die’
A 22-year-old ballroom dancer who was jogging with her two brothers has died after a vehicle hit the trio in Long Island.
Ilona Kaydanov was running with her two younger brothers on the hard shoulder of Harned Road in Commack, Suffolk County, when they were hit Thursday morning.
Suffolk County Police said the siblings were hit by a 2022 Chrysler Voyager, forcing all three to be rushed to the hospital.
Tragically, Kaydanov was pronounced dead after being taken to South Shore University Hospital.
Her two brothers, Dennis, 20, and Joseph Kaydanov, 13, had been taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ilona Kaydanov, pictured here, was pronounced dead Thursday morning after being taken to South Shore University Hospital
The driver of the Chrysler, 44-year-old Francis Floyd, was not injured, as were her two adult passengers, a 44-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man.
No charges have been announced by authorities, but the driver’s car has been seized for a security check and the accident is under investigation
The driver of the Chrysler, 44-year-old Francis Floyd, was not injured, as were her two adult passengers, a 44-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man.
Video made by ABC7 shows the black vehicle with an open side door and several police officers on the scene.
No charges have been announced by authorities, but the driver’s car has been seized for a security check and the accident is under investigation.
Kaydanov was a member of the Dance With Us Long Island studio and is remembered as dedicated and gifted.
Studio owner Stephanie Falciano told the New York PostShe 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.’
Her grandmother, Lubov Kaydanov, told ABC7: ‘I don’t feel anything. God must take me, I’m old. She’s young.’
According to her website, Kaydanov worked in communications and had recently graduated from Stony Brook University with an MBA in marketing.
Ilona is pictured here with her two young brothers Dennis, center, and Joseph, right, who were also involved in the incident
Kaydanov was a member of the Dance With Us Long Island studio and is remembered as dedicated and gifted
On social media, friends began paying tribute to Kaydanov, who was described as “ambitious and friendly”
Residents also told the outlet that they had often seen cars driving on the car, which is not designed for pedestrians.
It is currently unclear whether the speeding violation played a role in the fatal collision.
Her brother Joseph is said to have suffered a broken leg and broken collarbone and will require surgery, ABC7 reported.
On social media, friends began paying tribute to Kaydanov, who was described as “ambitious and kind.”
Her grandmother Lubov Kaydanov, pictured here, said she would rather see her die than her granddaughter
According to her website, Kaydanov worked in communications and had recently graduated from Stony Brook University with an MBA in marketing. She is pictured here with her brother Joseph
One person wrote, “I am so devastated by this news. Ilona Kaydanov was extremely smart, talented, ambitious and kind.
“She was my right-hand man at our last job and it wouldn’t have been the same without her.
“I was always in awe of her academic and professional achievements at the young age of 20, and now at age 22, and she still had so much more to accomplish.
We’ve been through a lot together in the short time we’ve known each other. You will be greatly missed, Ilona, and I will always cherish our bond.”
Another commented, “Absolutely tragic… she is a beautiful soul who will be sorely missed. May God bless her and her family during this time.”