“10 years ago today on the North Fork of Long Island,” Jennifer Garrett-Callaghan wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “You would think it was the beginning of a great love story, and in many ways it was, but unfortunately, it was also the end of one. 10 years ago today, I lost my best friend, my husband. His children lost a father. He has five grandchildren, I never met him — and my heart breaks for them, because they're losing a wonderful man.”
Callaghan, 49, of Jamesport, was killed on Route 25 in Laurel in 2014 during the early morning hours while jogging in dense fog, police said. Police said it appears Callahan was struck by a hit-and-run driver and then two westbound vehicles whose drivers remained at the scene, where he died.
“Although I've picked myself up and moved on with life as best I can, today, I'm still mourning the loss of a beloved person, a beautiful person, the funniest person I've ever known,” Garrett-Callaghan said. “And I'm asking you all when you're behind the wheel of your car to slow down, put your phones down and pay attention! In the blink of an eye, an accident can happen. And you can take someone's life. Heaven forbid that is happening to you. I hope you stop and try to help—and not let another hit-and-run victim suffer.”
Days after Callaghan's death in 2014, his wife shared her heartbreak with Patch. “Jim Callaghan was one of a kind. He was the one true love of my life and will forever be in my heart and soul.” , he said. “He was a wonderful, loving father of four beautiful children. An avid runner, comedian and great guy. He will be missed by all who loved him every second of every day for the rest of our lives.”
That same morning, Barbara Tocci, 47, of Hampton Bays, was killed in a tragic accident on Flanders Street. Police said the crash happened at 7:57 a.m. near the intersection of Spinney Street and Flanders Street between a PSEG truck and a Ford Explorer. In the years since, her family has spoken out strongly against texting and distracted driving.
A Bayport PSEG LI driver was accused of texting his girlfriend before the accident. a judge dismissed a charge of criminal negligence, and the driver was later sentenced to community service, according to Newsday.
“10 years we all missed seeing you and you seeing your children and grandchildren,” Tochi's sister Susan wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “I know you smile and are proud of Tom and Anthony and are never far from them. I am so sorry that your life was cut short by someone's selfish act, changing all of our lives forever. Think often how different life would have been and how unfair that is. I always think of you, my beautiful sister—and I miss you so much.”
In the years following the tragedy, Tocci erected a sign in Flanders urging motorists not to drink and drive or text and drive. In 2022, a We Stand With Kadence And The Tocci Family race in support of the sign was held on Flanders Road, half a mile east of the Big Duck in Flanders. At the rally, Susan Tocci said her family never wished they had a tragic reason for putting up the sign in the first place: “The message is clear: Don't do it. . . . Don't text and drive.”
Remembering that dark day, Susan told Patch in an earlier interview, “The only sense of relief that day, is the people who ran to help, and I'll never forget all those who did,” she said.
She vowed to remain vigilant and continue to call for safety — as she and her family live with an ever-present drumbeat, she said.
“It's still hard every time you cross 'the point,' so instead I put in a friendly word and say, 'Hey, Barb,' to make myself feel better, instead of visualizing the last moments of her life. The pain doesn't she ever leaves, for anyone in her family,” she said.
And that's why Susan will continue to remind people not to text and drive, she said. “Together we can stop another senseless death, be that person in the car who says, 'Put your phone down!' If you can help this person avoid killing someone, you've saved the lives of two families, because everyone's life is changed — and we won't have to look back and say “what if?” I'm sure Barbara will smile that big, beautiful, dimpled smile just like you,” she said.
Then, years later, Barbara has a unique message: “Help end distracted driving,” she said.
