Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, has been indicted on multiple charges including aggravated vehicular homicide following a devastating wrong-way crash on the Southern State Parkway that killed an elderly couple and injured eight others. The multi-vehicle collision occurred on Sunday, March 15, around 10:15 p.m. when Kutateladze was driving westbound on the parkway with her husband, according to New York State Police.
Police say Kutateladze lost control of her vehicle, sideswiped a gray BMW, crossed the center median and continued traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The wrong-way driver then struck several more vehicles before colliding head-on with a 2016 black Toyota Highlander. The occupants of the Highlander, 82-year-old Donald Maxwell and his 88-year-old wife Liscent Maxwell, were pronounced dead at the scene. The elderly couple had been returning home from church when their lives were cut short by the alleged drunk driver, according to Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Prosecutors revealed that Kutateladze was traveling at 81 mph at the time of the crash and had a blood alcohol content of .15, nearly twice the legal limit. They say she admitted to having a whiskey and coke before getting behind the wheel. The devastating chain reaction involved a total of six vehicles and 10 people, making it one of the most severe crashes on the Southern State Parkway this year.
Kutateladze’s husband was critically injured in the crash and remains hospitalized with head trauma and a brain bleed, according to the District Attorney’s office. Several other drivers and occupants involved in the multi-vehicle collision were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries. The extent of injuries to the other victims has not been disclosed by authorities.
“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,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said during court proceedings. The DA’s statement highlighted the tragic irony of the Maxwell couple’s death, emphasizing their peaceful nature and service to their community before their lives were violently cut short.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on the Southern State Parkway, one of Long Island’s most heavily traveled east-west thoroughfares. According to Long Island Traffic records, this stretch of roadway has recorded 330 incidents in the database, making it a particularly dangerous corridor for drivers. Recent incidents on the Southern State Parkway have included multiple instances of roadwork, roving repairs, and other crashes, indicating ongoing safety challenges along this route.
The parkway serves as a critical transportation artery connecting Nassau and Suffolk counties, handling thousands of commuters and residents daily. The westbound to eastbound median crossing that occurred in this crash represents one of the most dangerous scenarios on divided highways, often resulting in severe head-on collisions due to the combined speed of vehicles traveling in opposite directions.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Kutateladze faces an extensive list of charges stemming from the deadly crash. She was indicted on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide; vehicular manslaughter in the first degree; two counts of manslaughter in the second degree; aggravated vehicle assault; two counts of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree; vehicular assault in the first degree; two counts of vehicular assault in the second degree; four counts of assault in the second degree; driving while intoxicated per se; five counts of assault in the third degree; driving while intoxicated; and reckless driving.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded into custody. Kutateladze is scheduled to return to court on May 20, 2026. If convicted on the most serious charges, she faces a potential sentence of 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison, reflecting the severity of the allegations and the loss of life involved in the case.
Broader Impact
In direct response to this tragic incident and others like it, New York State Police have launched Operation Southern Shield, a targeted traffic enforcement initiative specifically focused on the Southern State Parkway. The crackdown on reckless driving will remain in effect through June 12, representing law enforcement’s commitment to preventing similar tragedies. This enforcement initiative underscores the ongoing safety concerns along this particular stretch of roadway and the state’s recognition that enhanced patrol presence is necessary to protect drivers and passengers who regularly travel this route.