Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Bishop Donald Maxwell, 82, and his wife Reverend Liscent Maxwell, 88, were killed in a devastating six-car, wrong-way crash on the Southern State Parkway Sunday night, according to New York State Police. The Westbury residents were passengers in a 2016 Toyota Highlander traveling eastbound when Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, drove her westbound Cadillac Escalade across the median and into oncoming traffic at approximately 10:13 p.m.
The fatal collision occurred as the eastbound lanes were filled with heavy traffic, including vehicles leaving a Brandon Lake concert at nearby UBS Arena that had ended minutes earlier. Bishop Maxwell served as general overseer of Pentecostal City Mission Church in Far Rockaway, while his wife Liscent was a reverend at the same church. Friends and parishioners said on social media that the couple had been returning home from a church event at the time of the crash.
The chain reaction began when Kutateladze’s out-of-control Escalade sideswiped a gray BMW in the westbound lanes, causing the SUV to spin out of control, police said. The Escalade then crossed the median and came face-to-face with oncoming eastbound vehicles, striking multiple cars before crashing head-on into the Toyota Highlander carrying the Maxwells. Police have stated that speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash.
Kutateladze has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving, according to authorities. She remains hospitalized following the crash, along with several other victims involved in the wreck. A bedside arraignment that was scheduled for Monday was delayed and is expected to be rescheduled.
The crash involved a total of six vehicles and 10 people. Beyond the two fatalities, one person suffered critical injuries while other injuries were described as non-life-threatening by police. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the deadly collision.
The loss of the Maxwells has deeply affected their church community. A Pentecostal City Mission parishioner wrote on Facebook: “Woke this morning to hear you’re not with us Bishop Maxwell and wife. Gone too soon. Can’t believe just spoke to you last Sunday… now you’re no longer going to be here. Condolence to the Church Family.” Another parishioner posted similar sentiments, expressing disbelief at the sudden loss and offering condolences to the church family.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on the Southern State Parkway in the eastbound lanes, one of Long Island’s major east-west arteries that carries heavy commuter and recreational traffic. The collision happened during a particularly busy time, as concert-goers were departing UBS Arena following a Brandon Lake performance that had concluded shortly before the 10:13 p.m. crash time.
This stretch of the Southern State Parkway has been the site of numerous incidents, with 123 recorded crashes in traffic databases. Recent incidents on this roadway include overnight construction work for crack sealing and other fatal crashes that have highlighted ongoing safety concerns along this heavily traveled route.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Diana Kutateladze faces serious felony charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. The 36-year-old Oceanside woman remains hospitalized as she recovers from injuries sustained in the crash, which has delayed legal proceedings.
A bedside arraignment that had been scheduled for Monday was postponed due to her medical condition and is expected to be rescheduled once she is medically cleared to participate in court proceedings. New York State Police continue their investigation into the crash, working to determine all factors that contributed to the deadly wrong-way collision.
Broader Impact
The charges against Kutateladze represent some of the most serious vehicle-related offenses under New York law, with aggravated vehicular homicide carrying potential sentences of up to 25 years in prison. The case underscores the severe legal consequences for impaired driving incidents that result in fatalities, particularly those involving wrong-way travel on major highways where the potential for catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes is heightened.