Sea Cliff woman Susannah Smith, 22, was indicted on Friday, May 5, on multiple counts, including manslaughter, in connection with the June 2022 incident, according to the Nassau County District Attorney
On the night of June 15, 2022, at approximately 11:58 p.m., the charges allege Smith was driving her 2014 Ford Focus north on Cedar Swamp Road while getting drunk and texting with friends.
According to reports, Smith drove her car off the shoulder and hit a utility pole, causing her car to roll over.
The force of the crash knocked down utility poles, causing power outages and wires strewn across the road, the district attorney’s office said.
Minutes later, authorities reported that Milton Diaz, 34, was driving his 2006 Honda motorcycle through the dimly lit crash scene.
Diaz hit one or more downed power lines, causing him to fall from his motorcycle and sustain serious trauma.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:14 a.m., the district attorney’s office reported.
Smith was treated at Nassau University Medical Center after police assisted her out of her car.
In summary, she is responsible for the following:
- second-degree manslaughter;
- second-degree vehicular manslaughter;
- secondary attack;
- Drunk driving;
- a second degree reckless hazard; and
- reckless driving.
Smith pleaded not guilty and will return to court on Monday, June 5.
If convicted, she faces up to five to 15 years in prison.
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