Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after a six-vehicle pile-up on the Southern State Parkway killed two people and injured several others on Sunday, March 15, according to the New York State Police Department. The crash occurred at approximately 10:13 p.m. near Exit 17S in Malverne when Kutateladze, driving a 2020 black Cadillac Escalade with one passenger, sideswiped a gray BMW traveling in the left lane, police said.
Following the initial collision, Kutateladze lost control of her vehicle and crossed the center median, continuing to travel westbound in the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway, according to state police. The wrong-way driving led to multiple collisions, including a head-on crash with a 2016 black Toyota Highlander, police reported. The devastating chain reaction ultimately involved six vehicles and 10 people in total.
Two passengers in the 2016 black Toyota Highlander were killed in the crash, police said. The victims were identified as Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, who were both pronounced dead at the scene. The relationship between the two victims was not specified in the preliminary police report, though they shared the same last name and were traveling together in the Toyota.
Beyond the two fatalities, several other people involved in the multi-vehicle collision were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries, according to state police. At least one person sustained critical injuries in the crash, though police did not immediately release details about the specific nature of those injuries or identify which vehicle the critically injured person was traveling in. The condition of Kutateladze and her passenger was not immediately disclosed.
State troopers who responded to the scene conducted a preliminary investigation that indicated both speed and impairment were contributing factors in the deadly collision, police said. As a result of the investigation, Kutateladze faces multiple serious charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving, according to the New York State Police Department.
The crash shut down a section of the Southern State Parkway as emergency responders worked to clear the scene and investigate the collision. The preliminary nature of the police investigation suggests that additional details about the crash sequence, the specific injuries sustained by survivors, and the results of any blood alcohol testing may be released as the case proceeds through the legal system.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17S in Malverne, a section of highway that serves as a critical east-west corridor through Nassau County. Exit 17S provides access to Hempstead Avenue and connects to several residential areas in Malverne and surrounding communities. This stretch of the Southern State Parkway typically carries heavy traffic volumes, particularly during evening hours when commuters are returning home from work or weekend activities.
The Southern State Parkway, originally constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, features a concrete median barrier in most sections, though the specific type of median barrier at the crash location was not detailed in the initial police report. The fact that Kutateladze’s vehicle was able to cross the center median and enter oncoming traffic lanes suggests either a gap in the barrier system or significant impact force that allowed the Escalade to breach the median separation.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The charges filed against Kutateladze represent some of the most serious driving-related offenses in New York State. Aggravated vehicular homicide, the most severe charge, is a Class B felony that can carry a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. The two counts of vehicular manslaughter are Class C felonies, each punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment. These charges specifically apply when a death occurs as a result of driving while intoxicated.
The preliminary investigation’s finding that both speed and impairment were factors suggests that prosecutors may have evidence of Kutateladze driving significantly above the speed limit while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The New York State Police have not yet released details about Kutateladze’s arraignment, bail status, or when she is scheduled to appear in court. The ongoing investigation may also examine factors such as the exact sequence of the collisions and whether any of the other drivers involved contributed to the severity of the crash.
Broader Impact
The fatal wrong-way crash highlights the particular dangers of median crossover accidents on Long Island’s parkway system, where high speeds and heavy traffic volumes can turn a single driver’s impaired decision into a multi-vehicle catastrophe. New York State’s aggravated vehicular homicide statute, under which Kutateladze was charged, specifically addresses cases where drunk driving results in death and carries significantly harsher penalties than standard DWI charges, reflecting the state’s efforts to deter impaired driving through severe criminal consequences.