Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Kerri Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, has been indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges. The indictment follows a multi-vehicle crash allegedly caused by Bedrick while impaired by methamphetamine, resulting in the death of her nine-year-old son.
“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 District Attorney 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.”
According to court documents and the investigation, on August 22, 2024, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a Suffolk County deputy sheriff observed Bedrick driving westbound at high speed in a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse on the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway.
The deputy sheriff made a U-turn and attempted to stop Bedrick’s car as she continued driving towards oncoming traffic. Despite his efforts, Bedrick allegedly accelerated around his vehicle. The deputy followed her at a safe distance for over five miles as she reportedly reached speeds of about 100 miles per hour. Multiple vehicles had to swerve to avoid collisions with her car.
Shortly afterward, just east of Exit 42N, Bedrick struck multiple vehicles before colliding head-on with a Mercedes GLS SUV. The impact caused significant damage to both cars and scattered debris across the roadway.
When law enforcement approached Bedrick’s vehicle, they found an unconscious nine-year-old child in the backseat who was later pronounced deceased at South Shore Hospital despite life-saving efforts. Two other motorists involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Multiple pills were recovered from Bedrick's vehicle in an unmarked prescription bottle. She was taken to the hospital where it was determined she was impaired by drugs and subsequently arrested. Her driving history revealed 56 suspensions on eight separate dates.
On September 4, 2024, Bedrick was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz on several charges including:
- Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
- One count each of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree
- Various counts including Assault in multiple degrees and Reckless Endangerment
Justice Horowitz ordered that Bedrick be remanded without bail and suspended her license during case proceedings.
Bedrick is scheduled to return to court on October 22, 2024. If convicted on top charges, she faces up to 25 years to life imprisonment. She is represented by Scott Zerner Esq.
Assistant District Attorney James McCormack from the Vehicular Crime Bureau is prosecuting this case with Investigator Kevin Doyle from New York State Police conducting investigations.
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