A tragic crash on the Southern State Parkway has left a family devastated and multiple victims hospitalized, as authorities point to speed and alcohol as key factors. On a Sunday night at 10:15 p.m., 36-year-old Diana Kutateladze of Oceanside was reportedly driving a 2020 Cadillac Escalade the wrong way when she clipped a BMW and soared over the center median into oncoming traffic near Hempstead.
The violent collision was catastrophic. Kutateladze slammed head-on into a Toyota Highlander, instantly killing the elderly couple inside—Donald Maxwell, 82, and his wife Liscent, 88. The sheer force of the impact triggered a chain reaction, involving six vehicles and leaving ten people injured. Emergency responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals, with one in critical condition.
Police quickly attributed the disaster to a combination of excessive speed and possible impairment, labeling the Cadillac as a deadly weapon in this horrific scenario. The eastbound lanes were closed for seven grueling hours as investigators combed through the wreckage, trying to piece together exactly how Kutateladze ended up driving against traffic.
Kutateladze now faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and DWI. Authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events that led to such a preventable tragedy.
The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired and reckless driving, leaving a lasting mark on the community. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Maxwell family during this unimaginable loss, and we honor the lives lost in this senseless crash.
