A Valley Stream woman pleaded guilty this week to aggravated vehicular assault and other charges for a drunken wrong-way crash on Hempstead Avenue last July that injured the teenage driver and passenger of another vehicle.
On July 25, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Kelyse Land was driving her 2003 Nissan on Hempstead Avenue when she crossed over the double yellow lane lines and into oncoming traffic. She drove directly into the front of the victims’ 2022 BMW as the victims were stopped at a red light. The collision caused the BMW to hit another car.
The driver of the BMW suffered multiple hand and wrist fractures and lacerations that required more than three dozen stitches and is now left with permanent limited wrist mobility. The vehicle’s passenger was also treated for a concussion and sprained ankle.
Blood taken from the defendant three hours after the crash revealed her blood alcohol content was .17%, more than double the legal limit.
A reverse extrapolation analysis revealed the defendant’s BAC was between .185% and .26% at the time of the crash. An investigation after the crash also recovered an empty 50-milliliter bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label from the defendant’s pocket.
The defendant was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department at the scene shortly after the crash
Kelyse Land, 26, pleaded guilty on July 20 before Judge Helene Gugerty to Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a Class C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); Assault in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor); and Driving Under the Combined Influence of Alcohol and Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor).
Land is due back in court on September 28, 2026. She is expected to be sentenced to two to six years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of four to nine years in prison.
“This defendant was more than twice the legal limit for alcohol and under the influence of marijuana when she drove the wrong way on Hempstead Avenue, crashing into two teenagers stopped at a red light,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “She is lucky that her complete disregard for public safety did not end up costing a life. My prosecutors diligently worked every facet of the case to ensure that this defendant was held fully accountable for her crimes and the pain and suffering she caused.”