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Hempstead, NY (March 16, 2026) – Two elderly people died after a multi-vehicle crash on the Southern State Pkwy in Hempstead that involved six vehicles and ten people.
The collision happened around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, near Exit 17S along the westbound and eastbound lanes of the parkway. Officials said a 2020 Cadillac Escalade traveling west sideswiped a gray BMW in the left lane.
After the initial contact, the Escalade crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes. The SUV then struck several vehicles, including a head-on collision with a 2016 Toyota Highlander.
Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, who were passengers in the Highlander, died at the scene. Several other drivers and passengers involved in the crash were taken to local hospitals, including one person listed in critical condition.
Emergency units remained at the scene for several hours as crews cleared damaged vehicles from the roadway. Eastbound lanes of the parkway reopened around 5:00 a.m. on Monday, while one westbound lane was cleared earlier.
Authorities said Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, was arrested following the crash. She faces multiple charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they are provided.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
How Chain-Reaction Crashes Often Develop on Busy Highways
Chain-reaction crashes can occur when one vehicle suddenly changes direction or loses control on a busy roadway. When traffic is heavy and vehicles are traveling at highway speeds, drivers often have very little time to react.
A single impact may quickly involve several nearby vehicles. When a vehicle crosses a center median or enters oncoming lanes, the risk of additional crashes increases sharply. Head-on impacts in these situations can be especially severe because vehicles are traveling in opposite directions.
Vehicle spacing, driver reaction time, and roadway design can all influence how widely a crash spreads. In multi-vehicle incidents, investigators later review vehicle positions, impact points, and roadway conditions to better understand how each collision occurred and how the sequence of events unfolded.
