RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — A Long Island mother accused of driving while impaired and causing a wrong-way crash that killed her 9-year-old son on the Southern State Parkway is now facing murder charges.
A grand jury has indicted Kerri Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, on higher charges that were unsealed Wednesday in Riverhead court. She is now charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and second-degree murder based on depraved indifference to human life.
Bedrick was already charged with DWI, unlicensed driving, criminal possession of a stimulant.
Police say she drove the wrong way for several miles before colliding with three other vehicles on August 22 in Bay Shore. Her son, Eli Henrys, was found in the backseat wearing his seatbelt, but later died at the hospital.
Kerri Bedrick’s record shows 56 license suspensions
Prosecutors said Bedrick’s license was expired and she had 56 suspensions, including a 2012 DWI conviction.
Prior to the deadly crash, a Suffolk County Sheriff patrol car tried to pull her over for going the wrong way on Sunrise Highway, but authorities said she sped up. When they caught up with her, the crash had already happened and she was standing outside the car.
Officers asked Bedrick where she was coming from and where she was going, and she replied, “I honestly don’t know,” according to court documents. She was found in possession of various pills, including methamphetamine, prosecutors said.
Bedrick’s attorney said she suffers from numerous medical problems, including spina bifida, narcolepsy, epilepsy, and she was taking prescribed medication. He also said she has been the victim of domestic violence.
The judge set bail at $1 million cash, $2 million bond, noting Bedrick’s numerous suspensions and violations. He called the case one of the most tragic to come before him in 39 years.
