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Hempstead, NY (March 16, 2026) – Two people lost their lives, and several others were hurt after a serious multi-vehicle crash late on Sunday night, March 15, on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau County.
The accident happened around 10:13 p.m. along the westbound lanes of the Southern State Pkwy just west of Exit 17S in the Town of Hempstead. Emergency units arrived and found several damaged vehicles spread across the eastbound lanes.
Investigators said a 2020 Cadillac Escalade driven by 36-year-old Diana Kutateladze of Oceanside was traveling westbound with one passenger. The SUV sideswiped a gray BMW in the left lane before the driver lost control. The Escalade crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes while still moving west.
Authorities said the vehicle struck several cars before crashing head-on with a 2016 Toyota Highlander. In total, six vehicles and ten people were involved in the crash.
Two passengers inside the Highlander, identified as Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, were pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were taken to nearby hospitals. One person suffered critical injuries, while the rest were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.
Kutateladze was later arrested and 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 they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Median Crossovers on Highways Can Lead to Severe Crashes
Median crossovers are among the most dangerous types of highway incidents because they place vehicles directly into oncoming traffic. When a vehicle crosses the center median, drivers traveling in the opposite direction often have very little time to react.
Highway speeds increase the force of impact in these situations. Head-on collisions on high-speed roads frequently lead to severe injuries or fatalities because both vehicles are moving toward each other at the time of impact.
Roadway design, vehicle control, and driver behavior can all influence whether a vehicle leaves its lane and crosses a median. Loss of control, sudden lane changes, and impaired driving can increase the risk.
Safety features such as median barriers, guardrails, and rumble strips are commonly used on major roadways to reduce crossover crashes. These features are designed to slow vehicles or redirect them before they enter opposing traffic lanes.
