Mom Charged After Son, 9, Dies In Wrong-Way Crash Had 56 Suspensions: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A mother whose son, 9, died in a wrong way-collision — a crash that law enforcement officials say she caused by driving while under the influence on Thursday morning — had 56 prior suspensions on her driver's license, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney's Office stated.

Kerri A. Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, was driving a black 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross on the Southern State Parkway near eastbound exit 42 in Bay Shore when she was accused of causing a four-car collision that killed her son, Eli D. Henrys, also of Centerport, New York State police said.

Troopers saw 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, police said.

Bedrick was arrested and 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, the DA said.

A Suffolk County assistant district attorney said in open court that they are walking the case into the grand jury to consider homicide charges against Bedrick, the DA's office stated.

Bedrick's lawyer, Scott Zerner, has entered a not guilty plea on Bedrick's behalf.

Zerner told Newsday that Bedrick suffered various medical ailments, including spinal bifida and narcolepsy, and that she is the victim in an ongoing domestic violence case in Suffolk County.

Zerner asked for a low bail so Bedrick could see her doctors in Manhattan and attend funeral services for her son, Newsday reported.

One of the other three drivers involved in the crash was not injured, police said. Bedrick and the other two drivers suffered injuries that are not life-threatening, police said.