A Bethpage woman was indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges for a drunken head-on collision in June that killed an Old Bethpage man.
On June 28, Cheryl Bergenstock was driving her vehicle northbound on Round Swamp Road in Bethpage when she collided head-on with a vehicle traveling southbound, driven by 82-year-old Alan Goldsand. An analysis of the event data recorder in Bergenstock’s vehicle indicated that she was allegedly driving 78 miles per hour in a 40 mile-per-hour zone five seconds prior to crossing over a double yellow line and striking Goldsand’s vehicle in his lane.
Goldsand was transported via helicopter to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He suffered bilateral femur fractures, had a chest tube inserted, and underwent surgery for internal injuries. He succumbed to his injuries the following day on June 29.
Bergenstock was transported via ambulance to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for minor injuries.
A search warrant for the defendant’s blood taken at the hospital revealed Bergenstock had a blood alcohol content of .20% approximately one hour after the crash. She was arrested that night at the hospital by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Bergenstock, 64, was arraigned on October 9 before Judge Helene Gugerty on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a Class B felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree (a Class C felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class D felony), Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D felony), Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, two counts of Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving (all unclassified misdemeanors). Bergenstock pleaded not guilty. She remained out on $200,000 bond, but was asked to surrender her passport, was required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, and a curfew was set. She is due back in court on November 15. If convicted, Bergenstock could face up to 25 years in prison.
“This defendant was allegedly more than twice the legal limit for alcohol when she crossed into 82-year-old Alan Goldsand’s path and crashed head-on into his vehicle,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Though Alan survived the initial crash, the injuries he suffered were too great and he tragically died in the hospital the following day. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not just illegal, they are often a deadly combination. Our thoughts are with Alan’s family as we pursue justice for this senseless and entirely preventable tragedy.”