AnOceansidewoman was indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, assault, and other drunk driving charges for a high-speed crash in March on the Southern State Parkway that killed a husband and wife and injured several others, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

Diana Kutateladze was arraigned on Thursday, April 24, on charges of two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of manslaughter, aggravated vehicle assault, three counts of vehicular assault, nine counts of assault, driving while intoxicated per se, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

She pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on May 20. If convicted, she faces up to eight and 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

On March 15, Kutateladze was allegedly driving her 2020 Cadillac Escalade westbound on the Southern State Parkway in Malverne at a high rate of speed with her husband in the front passenger seat, Donnelly said.

The crash began when Kutateladze crossed in front of a BMW after allegedly sideswiping it near exit 17S, and then jumped over the center guardrail into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes and crashed head-on into a 2016 Toyota Highlander, carrying 82-year-old Donald Maxwell in the front passenger seat and 88-year-old Liscent “Barbara” Maxwell in the rear passenger side seat, the DA said.

The Highlander’s passenger side was crushed at impact, and the couple was killed instantly, Donnelly said.

The Maxwells were pastors at the Pentecostal City Mission Church in Far Rockaway.

The 71-year-old driver of the Highlander sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs and a compound fracture of his hand that required surgery and the insertion of metal hardware. He also suffered a significant heart injury that requires ongoing treatment and monitoring, Donnelly said.

Kutateladze’s husband was also critically injured during the crash and was trapped in the passenger seat of their car. First responders extricated him from the car and he was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator to survive and remains hospitalized, Donnelly said.

Kutateladze’s blood drawn at the hospital revealed she had a blood alcohol concentration of allegedly .15%, approximately one hour after the crash, the DA said.

Source: LI Press