What Happened
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office announced that on July 25, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Kelyse Land, 26, of Valley Stream, was driving her 2003 Nissan on Hempstead Avenue when she crossed over double yellow lane lines and into oncoming traffic. Land drove directly into the front of the victims’ 2022 BMW while it was stopped at a red light. The collision caused the BMW to strike a third vehicle.
The teenage driver of the BMW suffered multiple hand and wrist fractures and lacerations that required more than three dozen stitches and is now left with permanent limited wrist mobility. The teenage passenger was treated for a concussion and a sprained ankle, according to the DA’s office.
Blood drawn from Land three hours after the crash showed a blood alcohol content of .17%, more than double the legal limit of .08%. A reverse extrapolation analysis placed her BAC between .185% and .26% at the time of the crash. An empty 50 mL bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label was recovered from her pocket following the crash. Land was arrested by Nassau County Police Department officers at the scene shortly after the crash.
Land pleaded guilty on July 20, 2026, before Judge Helene Gugerty to Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a C felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor), and Driving Under the Combined Influence of Alcohol and Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor). On September 29, 2026, she was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison. The Nassau County DA’s office had recommended a sentence of 4 to 9 years.
Long Island Traffic previously reported on this case on July 22, 2026, when Land pleaded guilty.
“Kelyse Land had no regard for the safety of others when she got behind the wheel last July while drunk and high, and her actions caused a head-on crash that seriously injured a pair of teenagers,” District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “Drunk or impaired driving has been an epidemic for too long in Nassau County, and my office has worked closely with law enforcement for years to curb this behavior with serious consequences.”
Patch (Rockville Centre) reported that Land’s defense attorney said that “other than this unfortunate incident, she has led a pretty productive life,” and added, “She took responsibility for her actions, and is looking forward to moving on.”
Daily Voice reported, citing the DA’s office, that Land had spent the night drinking and getting high at a bar before the crash.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Taglienti of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Daryl Levy, according to the DA’s office.
On This Corridor
What we don’t know yet: No source identifies what drug or drugs, beyond alcohol, contributed to the combined-influence charge, nor what toxicology confirmed.
Sources
- Nassau County District Attorney (official record)
- Patch
- Nassau County District Attorney (official record)
- Shore News Network
- Daily Voice