Kerri Bedrick, a 32-year-old mother from Centerport, has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder after allegedly causing a wrong-way crash on the Southern State Parkway that claimed the life of her nine-year-old son. Prosecutors say Bedrick was fleeing law enforcement while high on methamphetamine at the time of the fatal collision.
On August 22, 2024, around 2:15 a.m., Bedrick was spotted driving a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse the wrong way at high speed in the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway. A Suffolk County deputy sheriff attempted to pull her over but she accelerated, leading police on a harrowing five-mile chase in which she reportedly reached speeds of 100 mph and swerved around oncoming traffic.
Bedrick’s reckless escape attempt came to a violent end just past Exit 42N, when she crashed head-on into a Mercedes SUV. The collision was so severe that the engine of Bedrick’s car was launched into the nearby woods.
Emergency responders arrived to find Bedrick’s son, who had been in the backseat, unconscious. Despite attempts to save his life, the child was pronounced dead at South Shore Hospital shortly afterward. Two other motorists involved in the crash were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bedrick was arrested at the scene, where police found multiple unmarked pills in her vehicle. She was taken to a hospital and determined to be impaired by drugs. Her driving history revealed a staggering 56 license suspensions on eight different dates.
Bedrick has now been charged with a litany of crimes, including two counts of murder in the second degree, aggravated vehicular homicide, and multiple counts of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, and reckless endangerment. If convicted on the top charge, she faces 25 years to life in prison.
She is currently being held without bail and will return to court on October 22, 2024.
“The charges returned by the grand jury reflect the severe nature of the alleged offenses. The loss
of life in this incident, particularly that of a young child, is heartbreaking,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “We are committed to seeking justice not only for the child but also for those whose lives were affected and disrupted by this heinous act.”
LITrueCrime.com previously reported on this devastating crash, where Bedrick’s chaotic drive led to the death of her innocent son, a tragedy that left the community shaken.
