A nine-year-old boy was killed in a car crash near exit 42 of Southern State Parkway in the early morning of Thursday, August 22, when his mother drove the wrong-way while under the influence of drugs, causing a four-car collision.
Kerri A. Bedrick, age 32 of Centerport, was behind the wheel while her son Eli D. Henrys, also of Centerport, was seat belted in the rear seat of the vehicle. Bedrick was under the influence of drugs while operating the black 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Upon the Troopers arrival, they observed Bedrick standing outside of her vehicle and they located her son in the back seat with a seat belt fastened. Troopers and the Sheriff’s Deputies performed CPR on the child, trying to save the nine-year-old boy’s life. The boy later succumbed to his injuries.
Bedrick has been charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st (E Felony), Operating a Motor Vehicle while Impaired by Drugs 1st offense (U Misdemeanor), Aggravated DWI: with a child-passenger less than 16 1st offense (E Felony), Endangering Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of A Stimulant (C Felony).
Numerous units of the New York State Police (NYSP) responded to assist with this investigation which included the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Unit, along with NYSP command staff from uniform and BCI. Brentwood Fire Department, Brentwood Ambulance Service, Exchange Ambulance Service responded to transport the victims. Southside Hospital in Bayshore, NY, and Good Samaritan Hospital in Islip, NY, provided medical attention to those involved in the collision.
Operators of the other involved vehicles include Haydee Meyer, 29, of Center Moriches; David C. Picard, 24, of Brentwood; and John Rotondi, 64, of Brooklyn. Bedrick and the operators of the other vehicles involved, had non-life-threatening injuries. Both Meyer and Picard were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Rotondi was uninjured.
Bedrick will be held overnight and is due to be arraigned tomorrow morning August 23rd, 2024, in Suffolk County 1st District Court at 9:00 a.m.
This incident is still under investigation and the State Police is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone with information to call (631) 756-3300.
