My office secured an indictment on charges of criminally negligent homicide against a woman in connection with a high-speed collision on the Cross Island Parkway that killed her cousin and left her aunt gravely injured.
The defendant was driving at 123 mph in a 50 mph zone as she approached a split in the highway on April 8, 2022. She failed to maintain her lane, entered a grass median and struck a guardrail, launching the vehicle airborne. The car rolled over several times before striking an overhead light pole and the gantry supporting an overhead road sign, coming to a final rest on its roof.
The backseat passenger was pinned inside the vehicle and later died of her injuries. The front passenger survived but sustained serious injuries to her lung, arm, shoulder, pelvis and liver.
Disregarding the rules of the road often has devastating consequences. When drivers choose to disobey traffic laws, they put everyone in danger, including themselves and their loved ones.
In this case, a life was cut short and a family left heartbroken because the defendant, as alleged, drove at nearly two-and-half times the speed limit.
My office will continue to prioritize cases of vehicular crimes to ensure that dangerous drivers are held accountable.
My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.
In Friendship,
Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
