A North Bellmore woman was indicted in a crash that resulted in the loss of a foot of a Good Samaritan who tried to help her.
On August 27, 2024, at approximately 6:05 p.m., Marianne Mkrtchian was allegedly driving a 2023 Mercedes Benz C300 eastbound on Skidmore Road in North Babylon and proceeded through a stop sign at a high rate of speed at the intersection of Lloyd Avenue and Skidmore Road. Mkrtchian attempted to apply the brake, turned erratically, and crashed through a telephone pole. The collision caused significant damage to the front driver’s side tire of her vehicle, and the telephone pole split in half.
A Good Samaritan on his way home witnessed the crash and pulled over to check on Mkrtchian. As the Good Samaritan stepped out of his car, Mkrtchian allegedly backed her car away from the pole, accelerated at a high rate of speed, and then slammed into the Good Samaritan. The victim was pinned between Mkrtchian’s vehicle and his own car, resulting in the victim’s foot being severed. Mkrtchian then allegedly began to flee in her vehicle until a second Good Samaritan stopped her by throwing a brick through her windshield approximately a block away from the crash site.
Numerous civilians and emergency responders rushed to the aid of the injured victim until he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he underwent surgery to amputate the remainder of his lower leg. Mkrtchian sustained no injuries and was ultimately placed under arrest.
On February 7, 2025, Mkrtchian was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for the following charges contained in the indictment:
- second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony
- leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury, a Class E felony
- second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor
- reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor
- leaving the scene of an incident resulting in property damage, a Class A misdemeanor
- speeding, a traffic infraction
Pilewski ordered Mkrtchian to surrender her passport and be placed on supervised release. In addition, Mkrtchian’s driving privileges in New York are suspended during the pendency of the case. Mkrtchian is due back in court on March 11, 2025 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.
“This Good Samaritan exemplified the best of our community, and instead of receiving gratitude from this defendant, suffered devastating injuries due to her alleged actions that will forever impact his life,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will vigorously prosecute this case to hold the defendant accountable for her alleged conduct and to send a clear message that such disregard for human life and safety will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”