Upgraded Charges For Woman In Head-On DWI Crash That Claimed Grandma On Long Island: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Yaphank woman has been indicted in connection with a head-on drunken driving crash that claimed the life of a 75-year-old grandmother, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday.

Melissa Koprowski, 31, faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by the combination of alcohol and a drug, and other related charges for the November crash on Middle Country Road that killed a passenger in another car, Esther Guy, of Coram, and injured the driver, Tierney's office said.

“Driving while impaired is lethal activity and will be treated as such,” Tierney said. “My office will seek justice for the family of Esther Guy and will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who chooses to threaten the safety of our roadways.”

Her attorney, John Halverson of Patchogue, told Patch that she has entered a plea of not guilty to "this horrific accident."

Our thoughts are with Ms. Guy and her family," he added.

Koprowski was driving a 2014 Dodge Durango eastbound on Middle Country Road in Middle Island at around 8:39 p.m. on Nov. 22 when she entered the intersection at Wading River Hollow Road and tried to make a left-hand turn in front of oncoming traffic, without having the right of way, prosecutors said.

At the time, a blue 2022 Nissan Rogue was traveling westbound on Middle Country Road proceeding through the intersection with a green light, and the driver’s two-year-old child and Guy, were seated in the backseat of the Nissan Rogue, according to prosecutors.

Koprowski’s SUV crashed head-on into the Rogue within the westbound lane of the intersection sending the Rogue off the road and into the wooded shoulder, according to prosecutors.

Koprowski and all three people inside the Rogue were taken by ambulance to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue.

Guy was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

The driver of the Rogue, Guy's daughter, a 33-year-old Coram woman, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Suffolk police previously said.

The two-year-old child was not hurt in the crash.

While at the hospital, officers alleged Koprowski, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, displayed signs of intoxication and she was placed under arrest, prosecutors said.

Koprowski also faces charges of second- and third-degree assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and reckless driving.

Koprowski was ordered held on $200,000 cash, $400,000 bond, or $1.5 million partially secured bond, and her license was suspended during the pendency of the case.

She is due back in court on Feb. 5.