A 32-year-old mother pleaded not guilty on Friday to intoxicated driving-related charges in the dramatic deadly wrong-way wreck that involved such force, the engine of her vehicle was flung into the woods.
Four cars were involved in the 2:20 a.m. crash Thursday on the Southern State Parkway near exit 42 in Islip. Authorities say Kerri Bedrick was behind the wheel of the vehicle driving in the wrong direction. Her 9-year-old son, who had been in a seat belt in the back seat, died of his injuries at a hospital. Bedrick and others involved in the crash weren't badly hurt.
Authorities allege Bedrick refused to stop when officers spotted her driving the wrong way prior to the crash and instead sped up. They claim it appears she was driving the wrong way on Sunrise Highway before she went onto the Southern State Parkway.
Bedrick, of Centerport, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI with a child-passenger less than 16, endangering welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a stimulant, police said. She was in a wheelchair for her court appearance.
Prosecutors said pills including methamphetamine were found in her vehicle, which Bedrick stated were her prescriptions, according to the criminal complaint. The mother admitted she took pills at 8 p.m.
Law enforcement said Bedrick was driving with an expired driver's license, and that she had her license suspended 56 times previously. In 2012, she was charged with DWI and trying to flee from police.
Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.
She had a blood test done when she was taken to the hospital on Thursday, the results of which were still pending.
Local
Bedrick needs medication due to the spina bifida and epilepsy she suffers from, her lawyer said, adding that she is a victim of domestic violence. The attorney asked for mental and physical support for his client.
At the arraignment, the judge called it one of the most tragic cases they had seen in 39 years on the bench. Bedrick was ordered held on $2 million bond.
Afterward, Bedrick's mother told NBC New York outside of court that her grandson was a "sweet, sweet boy" and that her daughter "loves him so much." When she was asked if she thought her daughter's medical problems may have played a role in the deadly crash, she said "I think so."
Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen the wrong-way vehicle leading up to the crash, or has any other information, to contact the New York State Police at 631-756-3300.
