Mother Of Boy Killed In Wrong-Way Crash Indicted On Murder Charges: DA

BAY SHORE, 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 in August and while driving at about 100 miles per hour — has been indicted on "depraved indifference" murder charges, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Kerri Bedrick, 32, was charged with 21 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, and aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child, among other charges, the indictment said.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors said Bedrick was impaired by methamphetamines, which the indictment said she was found in possession of.

Bedrick also had 56 prior suspensions on her driver's license, the DA said.

According to court documents and the investigation, on August 22, 2024, at about 2:15 a.m., a Suffolk County deputy sheriff was patrolling the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway when he observed Bedrick driving westbound at a high rate of speed in a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse on the eastbound lanes of the parkway.

When he spotted Bedrick driving the wrong way, the deputy sheriff made a U-turn, activated his lights and sirens and attempted to stop Bedrick’s car as she continued to drive in the direction of oncoming traffic, the DA said.

Bedrick reportedly accelerated and drove around the deputy’s vehicle as he attempted to guide her car safely off the road, the DA said. The deputy sheriff continued to travel behind Bedrick at a safe distance for more than five miles, as she reportedly reached speeds of about 100 miles per hour, Tierney said.

Bedrick’s actions caused multiple vehicles traveling eastbound to avoid being struck by veering out of the way of her oncoming car, the DA said. For safety reasons, the deputy sheriff had to enter the westbound lanes of travel in order to maintain sight of Bedrick’s vehicle while she continued to drive the wrong way on the eastbound lanes of the parkway, the DA said.

Shortly afterward, just east of Exit 42N, Bedrick struck multiple vehicles; the crash ended with
Bedrick striking a Mercedes GLS SUV head-on, the DA said.

The force of the impact caused "catastrophic damage" to both cars and ejected a large field of debris across the roadway, Tierney said. The engine of Bedrick’s vehicle was launched into the woods, the DA said.

When the deputy sheriff who had been following Bedrick and New York State Police troopers
approached her vehicle, they saw an unconscious 9-year old child in the backseat passenger seat, the DA said.

The child was removed from the vehicle and attempts to provide life-saving
measures were taken, Tierney said. The boy was later taken to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the DA said. Two other motorists involved in the collision were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries, the DA said.

Multiple pills were recovered from Bedrick's vehicle in a prescription bottle with the name peeled off, the DA said. Bedrick was later taken to the hospital, determined to be impaired by the use of
a drug, and placed under arrest, Tierney said.

A review of Bedrick’s driving history revealed that she had 56 suspensions on eight separate dates, the DA said.

On September 4, Bedrick was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I.
Horowitz for the following charges contained in the indictment, Tierney said:

- Two counts of second-degree murder, Class A felonies;

- One count of aggravated vehicular homicide, a Class B felony;

- One count of second-degree manslaughter, a Class C felony;

- One count of first-degree vehicular manslaughter, a Class C felony;

- One count of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony;

- One count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a Class D felony;

- One count of first-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, a Class D felony;

- One count of first-degree reckless endangerment, a Class D felony;

- One count of aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child, a Class E felony;

- One count of driving while ability impaired by a drug, an unclassified misdemeanor;

- Two counts of third-degree assault,, Class A misdemeanors;

- One count of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor;

- One count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor;

- One count of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor;

- One count of reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor;

- One count of operating a motor vehicle without a license, a traffic infraction;

- One count of operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate, a traffic infraction;

- One count of operating a motor vehicle without insurance, a traffic infraction; and

- One count of operating an unregistered motor vehicle, a traffic infraction.

Justice Horowitz ordered Bedrick to be remanded without bail and that her license be suspended
during the pendency of the case, the DA said.

"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 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."

Bedrick is due back in court on October 22, 2024, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count, the DA said. She is being represented by Scott Zerner, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.