A Long Island woman is now facing serious criminal charges after a deadly wrong-way crash on the Southern State Parkway last month claimed the lives of an elderly couple who were simply on their way home from church.
Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, was driving westbound on the parkway on the night of March 15 when prosecutors say she lost control, crossed the center median, and began traveling the wrong way in eastbound lanes at 81 mph — with a blood alcohol content of .15, nearly double the legal limit.
The head-on collision that followed killed 82-year-old Donald Maxwell and his 88-year-old wife, Liscent Maxwell, both pronounced dead at the scene. The couple had just left church when their lives were tragically cut short.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly described the loss as devastating — a couple known for peace and service, killed by an alleged drunk driver.
Kutateladze’s own husband was critically injured in the crash and remains hospitalized with head trauma and a brain bleed. In total, six vehicles and 10 people were involved in the collision.
She has been indicted on multiple serious charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter. Kutateladze has pleaded not guilty and was remanded. Her next court date is May 20, 2026 — and if convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison.
In response to the growing number of crashes on the parkway, New York State Police have launched Operation Southern Shield — a targeted traffic enforcement initiative running through June 12.
For full case details, charge breakdown, and what Operation Southern Shield means for Long Island drivers — read the complete story at thecmeaglet.com.
