Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Diana Kutateladze, a 36-year-old lawyer from Oceanside, has been charged with killing two elderly pastors in a horrific six-car crash on the Southern State Parkway after driving with nearly twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system, prosecutors announced Friday. Kutateladze was allegedly traveling 81 miles per hour when she crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed her Cadillac Escalade head-on into a Toyota Highlander carrying 82-year-old Donald Maxwell and 88-year-old Liscent “Barbara” Maxwell on March 15.
The collision occurred on a curve in a 55-mile-per-hour zone near Exit 17S in Hempstead during the late-night hours, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. The impact was catastrophic, with Donnelly describing “unimaginable deadly injuries” sustained by the victims. “The violent impact of this crash caused unimaginable deadly injuries. Liscent was decapitated and Donald’s body was completely crushed,” Donnelly said in a statement Friday.
The Maxwell couple served as pastors at Pentacostal City Mission Church in Far Rockaway, where they were beloved by their congregation as a bishop and assistant pastor. According to prosecutors, Kutateladze and her husband had dropped off their four young children with their grandmother earlier that Sunday evening, returned home to drink whiskey, and got dressed up to go out before leaving in their car around 10 p.m. “Her actions turned a quiet Sunday evening into a scene of absolute chaos,” the DA said.
The crash resulted in multiple casualties beyond the two fatalities. A 71-year-old driver of the Highlander suffered fractured ribs in the collision, while Kutateladze’s husband, who was a passenger in the Escalade, remains hospitalized after suffering a brain bleed from the late-night pileup. Kutateladze herself sustained only minor injuries despite the severity of the crash that claimed two lives and injured several others.
Kutateladze was charged in a 23-count indictment that was unsealed Friday, facing charges including first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment and is being held without bond, with her next court appearance scheduled for May 20. If convicted on all charges, she faces up to 25 years in prison.
The tragic loss of the Maxwell couple has deeply affected their religious community in Far Rockaway. People passing by the Pentecostal City Mission Church were overcome with emotion Friday after learning the horrific details of the crash. The Maxwells’ home was draped in a purple banner with yellow ribbons as a memorial to the couple. “A couple who stood for peace and service, only to have their lives ended with such violence because this defendant allegedly decided to drive drunk,” Donnelly said. Churchgoer Gwendolyn Maddox expressed disbelief at the circumstances, asking, “How are you going to be a lawyer and go out there and drive and kill somebody.” Another congregation member reflected on the loss, saying, “They say the Lord is only going to take the good people. It’s a waste of life. It’s a devastation.”
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17S in Hempstead, a section of roadway that has seen significant traffic incidents over recent months. According to Long Island Traffic database records, this stretch of the Southern State Parkway has 323 recorded incidents, making it one of the more problematic sections of the major east-west thoroughfare that serves as a critical transportation artery for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The crash site, located on a curve where the speed limit drops to 55 miles per hour, has been the scene of recent construction activity and maintenance work, with multiple roadwork incidents documented in the area. The Southern State Parkway serves thousands of daily commuters and connects major population centers across Long Island, making safety incidents particularly impactful for regional traffic flow.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The case against Kutateladze represents one of the most serious vehicular homicide prosecutions in recent Nassau County history, with the 23-count indictment reflecting the severity of the charges and the multiple victims involved. The first-degree vehicular manslaughter charge indicates prosecutors believe they can prove Kutateladze was operating her vehicle while intoxicated and caused the deaths through criminal negligence.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly’s office has emphasized the egregious nature of the case, particularly given Kutateladze’s legal background and the extreme level of intoxication alleged. The decision to hold her without bond reflects the court’s assessment of both flight risk and public safety concerns. Her next court appearance on May 20 will likely involve preliminary motions and discovery proceedings as the case moves toward trial.
Broader Impact
In direct response to this fatal crash and ongoing safety concerns, New York State Police announced the launch of Operation Southern Shield, a targeted traffic initiative focused on reducing serious crashes along the Southern State Parkway. The enforcement operation, which runs through June 12, will specifically target speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving—the exact behaviors that contributed to the March 15 tragedy that claimed the lives of Donald and Barbara Maxwell.