Overview
- Troopers responded around 10:13 p.m. on March 15 near Exit 17S in the Town of Hempstead and found several disabled vehicles in the eastbound lanes.
- State Police say a westbound 2020 Cadillac Escalade driven by Diana Kutateladze sideswiped a BMW, crossed the median into eastbound lanes, and struck multiple vehicles before a head-on collision with a 2016 Toyota Highlander.
- Two Highlander passengers, Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, were pronounced dead at the scene and were identified as leaders in the Pentecostal City Mission Church.
- Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, was arrested on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, first- and second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, DWI, and reckless driving, and remained hospitalized Monday with arraignment postponed.
- Six vehicles and 10 people were involved; several were hospitalized, including one person in critical condition, and police ask anyone with information or video to contact Investigator Jeffrey Shillingford at 212-814-9597.