A Plainview woman was indicted and arraigned on manslaughter and drugged driving charges for a drug-fueled August crash in East Meadow that killed a 55-year-old man and injured two other victims.
Cassandra Panetta was driving her 2021 Nissan Maxima along Carman Avenue in East Meadow toward her Plainview home on August 10, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m. She approached a steady red light at the intersection of Carman Avenue and Salisbury Park Drive. At the same time, another vehicle with three total passengers was making a left turn through a green light onto Carman Avenue from Salisbury Park Drive.
Pannett allegedly drove through the red light on Carman Avenue without braking and crashed into the rear driver’s side of the victims’ vehicle as it was making its turn. The victims’ vehicle sustained heavy damage as a result of the crash.
The backseat passenger of the vehicle, 55-year-old Steven Diamond, was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at the scene and was pronounced dead at Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow at 3:13 p.m.
The driver of the vehicle suffered a concussion, and the front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Panetta fractured her wrist in the crash.
Forensic testing of Panetta’s blood revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine.
On October 17, 2025, Panetta, 41, was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad and arraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree (both Class D violent felonies); Assault in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor); Driving While and Ability Impaired by Drugs and Reckless Driving (both unclassified misdemeanors).
The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1 million partially secured bond. She is due back in court on December 4, 2025. If convicted, she faces up to seven to 15 years in prison.
“Steven Diamond’s life was senselessly cut short because of conduct that was as reckless as it was preventable. This defendant’s alleged decision to drive while under the influence of methamphetamine had irreversible consequences,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “It’s clear that the dangers of this drug went unheeded by Cassandra Panetta. My prosecutors will continue to pursue justice for Steven and work tirelessly to hold accountable those who endanger drivers on our roads through drug use behind the wheel.”