Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, New York, was arrested and charged after a deadly chain‑reaction crash on the Southern State Parkway late Sunday night that killed two people and injured several others, according to law enforcement officials.
On March 15, 2026, just after 10 p.m., Kutateladze was driving a 2020 Cadillac Escalade westbound on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17 South in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, when the multi‑vehicle collision occurred.
According to the New York State Police, the deadly incident began when Kutateladze’s Escalade sideswiped another vehicle — a gray BMW — in the left lane. After that initial contact, she lost control of her SUV, veering across the center median and into the eastbound lanes of traffic, where she struck several oncoming vehicles.
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Among the cars hit was a 2016 Toyota Highlander. In that vehicle were Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
The highway was shut down for hours as emergency responders tended to the crash scene and transported several other drivers and passengers to nearby hospitals for treatment. One person suffered critical injuries, while others were reported with non‑life‑threatening wounds.
Police say speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash, suggesting that Kutateladze’s condition and driving behavior played roles in the loss of control that triggered the chain reaction.
Following her arrest at the scene, Kutateladze was charged with multiple serious offenses, including aggravated vehicular homicide, first‑ and second‑degree vehicular manslaughter, second‑degree assault, driving while intoxicated (DWI), and reckless driving. These charges reflect both the resulting fatalities and the potential risk her actions posed to other motorists.
Investigators from the New York State Police continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities have asked that anyone who witnessed the crash or captured video footage contact state police to assist in their ongoing investigation.
The Southern State Parkway, a key east‑west roadway on Long Island, connects numerous communities and sees heavy traffic even late at night, making crashes like this especially dangerous.
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, the parkway was closed between multiple exits and eastbound lanes remained blocked into the early morning hours while debris was cleared and the scene was documented by investigators.
Family members and community residents have not yet released public statements about the victims, but in collisions involving elderly passengers — like the Maxwells — loved ones are often left mourning sudden, senseless losses. This tragedy highlights the severe consequences of impaired or reckless driving and the importance of roadway safety, especially on high‑speed highways.
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