An Oceanside woman was indicted for a high-speed crash in March on the Southern State Parkway that killed a husband and wife and injured several others.
On March 15, 2026, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Diana Kutateladze was allegedly driving her 2020 Cadillac Escalade westbound on the Southern State Parkway in Malverne at a high rate of speed with her husband in the front passenger seat.
The crash began when the defendant crossed in front of a BMW after allegedly sideswiping it near exit 17S.
Kutateladze then jumped over the center guardrail into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes and crashed head-on into a 2016 Toyota Highlander carrying 82-year-old Donald Maxwell in the front passenger seat and 88-year-old Liscent “Barbara” Maxwell in the rear passenger side seat
The Highlander’s passenger side was crushed at impact, and the couple were killed instantly.
The Maxwells were pastors at the Pentecostal City Mission Church in Far Rockaway.
The 71-year-old driver of the Highlander sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs and a compound fracture of his hand that required surgery and the insertion of metal hardware. He also suffered a significant heart injury that requires ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Kutateladze’s husband was also critically injured during the crash and was trapped in the passenger seat of their car. First responders extricated him from the vehicle and he was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator to survive. He suffered multiple broken bones and significant head trauma, resulting in a brain bleed. He required an insertion of a titanium plate to stabilize his midsection and remained hospitalized more than a month after the crash
The defendant was treated at Nassau University Medical Center for minor injuries.
Blood drawn from the defendant at the hospital revealed the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration was allegedly .15% approximately one hour after the crash.
The head-on crash triggered a chain reaction on the parkway that caused a five-car pile-up.
Three other vehicles crashed into the wreckage, leaving the drivers with injuries ranging from whiplash and back pain to trauma that will likely require knee surgery.
The collision shut down part of the Southern State Parkway for several hours while emergency crews worked to extricate victims and remove debris off the roadway.
According to the vehicle’s crash data recorder, Kutateladze was allegedly driving 81 miles per hour five seconds before the crash. The Southern State Parkway has a 55-mile-per-hour speed limit.
Kutateladze, 36, was arrested on March 16, 2026, by the New York State Police. On April 24, 2026, she was arraigned before Judge Howard Sturim on grand jury indictment charges of two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a Class B felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Aggravated Vehicle Assault (all Class C felonies); two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Vehicular Assault in the First Degree (all Class D felonies); two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree (a Class E felony); four counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); Driving While Intoxicated Per Se (a Class E felony); five counts of Assault in the Third Degree (a misdemeanor); Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving (both unclassified misdemeanors).
Kutateladze pleaded not guilty and was remanded. She is due back in court on May 20, 2026. If convicted, she faces up to 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison.
“A husband and wife who spent their lives serving the community are dead because this defendant allegedly drove drunk instead of just staying home,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Her actions turned a quiet Sunday evening into a scene of absolute chaos, resulting in a horrific five-car pileup. My office is committed to seeking justice for the Maxwells and we will work to hold the defendant fully accountable for the lives she destroyed.”