Scarleth S. Urgiles Obituary and Community Tribute
EAST HAMPTON, NY — A wave of grief has swept across East Hampton as the community mourns the tragic and untimely loss of Scarleth S. Urgiles, an 18-year-old East Hampton High School senior whose life was cut short in a devastating car crash on Sunday evening, June 15, 2025. The fatal collision occurred on Old Stone Highway and is now under active criminal investigation due to the suspected involvement of an intoxicated driver.
Scarleth was more than just a student—she was a vibrant and deeply cherished member of her school, family, and community. Known for her radiant smile, boundless kindness, and unwavering determination, Scarleth touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She was looking forward to her graduation and had plans to attend college in the fall, aspiring to study nursing with hopes of one day giving back to others in their time of need.
Friends and teachers describe her as compassionate and focused, a young woman whose positivity lit up every classroom and hallway she entered. Her teachers recall her as a diligent learner who always offered to help classmates and often volunteered in community outreach efforts organized by the school. She was an active member of several extracurricular clubs, including the school’s Latinx student association, environmental club, and dance team.
Scarleth’s family, originally from Ecuador, has been a part of the East Hampton community for many years. She was the eldest of three siblings and served as a role model to her younger brother and sister. At home, she was the heart of the family—helping her parents with translations, household responsibilities, and offering emotional support to everyone around her. Her loss is deeply felt not only by her immediate family but by the extended community that embraced her as one of their own.
According to East Hampton police, the crash occurred just after 9:00 p.m. Sunday night, when the vehicle Scarleth was in was struck by another driver suspected to be under the influence. Multiple other individuals were injured in the crash, and the case has since been handed over to the district attorney’s office for further investigation. Authorities have not yet released the name of the suspect, but community leaders and family members are calling for accountability and justice as the investigation unfolds.
The heartbreak in East Hampton is profound. Vigils have already begun forming outside of East Hampton High School, where classmates, teachers, and residents have gathered to leave flowers, candles, and handwritten notes in Scarleth’s memory. A GoFundMe page has been launched to assist the Urgiles family with funeral costs and other expenses during this unimaginable time of loss. Local churches and community centers have also offered support services and counseling for students and families struggling to cope with the tragedy.
“Scarleth was a beacon of hope and promise,” said Principal Dana Nichols of East Hampton High School. “She embodied everything good about our youth—kindness, ambition, compassion, and resilience. Her absence leaves a silence that is almost too painful to bear.”
A memorial service will be held later this week, with final arrangements to be announced by the family. In honoring Scarleth’s legacy, the school district is working with her family to establish a scholarship fund in her name, aimed at supporting future graduates pursuing careers in healthcare and social service.
As East Hampton continues to grapple with this heartbreaking loss, the memory of Scarleth S. Urgiles will live on in the hearts of all who knew her—a brilliant light extinguished far too soon, but never forgotten.
