Update 2: The driver responsible for the multi-vehicle accident has been identified as Kerri A. Bedrick, a 32-year-old resident of Centerport. Bedrick was traveling with her 9-year-old son, Eli D. Henrys, when she drove the wrong way on Southern State Parkway early this morning.
Bedrick has been charged with a number of offenses, including aggravated unlicensed operation, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a stimulant.
Update 1: According to an update during a press conference, New York State Police said that there are charges pending in the crash that claimed the life of a 9-year-old Centerport child. Before the crash Suffolk County Sherriffs attempted to stop the vehicle going the wrong way but the driver sped up.
There is no confirmation right now by police if the woman was impaired while driving or why she was traveling the wrong way. The accident is under investigation.
“To give you an idea of the severity of the impact, the engine of the wrong-way driver vehicle was thrown from that vehicle into the woods, some distance from the collision,” said New York State Police Major Stephen J. Udice, Troop L Troop Commander.
Video of the wreckage can be seen on nbcnewyork.com.
A tragic accident unfolded on the Southern State Parkway in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 22nd, when a mother’s wrong-way driving resulted in a fatal collision that claimed the life of her 9-year-old son.
The incident occurred in the eastbound lanes near exit 42 when the mother, driving a dark-colored SUV, entered the highway traveling in the wrong direction. The SUV collided with three other vehicles, causing a catastrophic accident. The young boy, identified as a Centerport resident, was seat belted in the rear of the SUV but sustained critical injuries.
New York State Troopers and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene. Despite their efforts to revive the child with CPR, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The mother, who was standing outside the vehicle when authorities arrived, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, as did the other drivers involved in the crash.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing. Authorities have not released the mother’s name, and it remains unclear what led her to drive the wrong way on the parkway. No charges have been filed as of yet.
State Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to contact them at (631) 756-3300.
