Nassau Woman Indicted For DWI Crash That Killed Motorcyclist: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A Sea Cliff woman has been indicted on manslaughter and other related charges for causing the death of a motorcyclist while she was both drunk and texting on her mobile phone back in June 2022, Nassau prosecutors said.

Susannah Smith, 22, was arraigned Friday on charges of second-degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, and reckless endangerment, as well as driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Smith pleaded not guilty and her bail was continued at $50,000 bond. She is due back in court on June 5. If convicted of the top charge, she faces up to five to 15 years in prison.

Smith was driving a 2014 Ford Focus northbound on Cedar Swamp Road while allegedly intoxicated and texting with a friend just before midnight on June 15, 2022, according to prosecutors. She drove off the roadway onto the grassy shoulder and crashed into a utility pole, downing the pole, and causing wires to be strewn across the roadway and the power to go out, prosecutors said, adding that the force of the impact also caused her car to flip onto its side.

Minutes later, 34-year-old Milton Diaz drove through the pitch-black crash scene on a 2006 Honda motorcycle and struck one or more of the downed power lines, causing him to fall off his motorcycle, according to prosecutors.

He suffered significant trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith needed help from the Brookville Police Department to get out of her vehicle, and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment of injuries from the crash, according to prosecutors. She was arrested on June 16 by members of the Nassau and Brookville police.

District Attorney Anne Donnelly said, "Our thoughts remain with Milton’s family and friends as we prosecute this case.”

Smith's attorney, Karen Johnston of Mineola, declined comment.