New York State Police have reported that a nine-year-old boy from Centerport was killed in a crash on the morning of Aug. 22 after his mother drove the wrong way allegedly while under the influence on the Southern State Parkway in Bay Shore.
Kerri A. Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, driving a black 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, caused a four-car collision that killed her son, Eli D. Henrys.
State troopers and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a crash, which happened around eastbound exit 42, and observed Bedrick standing outside of her car and found Eli in the backseat with a seat belt fastened, police said. Troopers and the sheriff’s deputies performed CPR on Eli in an effort to save his life, but he later died of his injuries.
The drivers of the other involved vehicles were Haydee R Meyer, 29, of Center Moriches, who was operating a 2018 Mercedes Benz; David C. Picard, 24, of Brentwood, who was operating a 2011 Honda and John Rotondi, 64 of Brooklyn who was operating a 2019 Chevrolet Pickup. Both Meyer and Picard were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Rotondi was uninjured.
Bedrick was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs: first offense; aggravated DWI: with a child-passenger less than 16: first offense; endangering the welfare of a child; and criminal possession of a stimulant.
Numerous units of the New York State Police (NYSP) responded to assist with this investigation which included the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Unit, along with NYSP command staff from uniform and BCI. The NYSP thanks the New York State Department of Transportation and Suffolk County Police Department officers who assisted the NYSP with traffic control. Brentwood Fire Department, Brentwood Ambulance Service, Exchange Ambulance Service responded to transport the victims. Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, provided medical attention to those involved in the collision.
This incident is still under investigation and the State Police is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.
