Suffolk Reporter

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of Kerri Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges following a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of her nine-year-old son. The incident occurred while Bedrick was allegedly driving under the influence of methamphetamine.

"The charges returned by the grand jury reflect the severe nature of the alleged offenses. The loss of life in this incident, particularly that of a young child, is heartbreaking," stated District Attorney Tierney. "We are committed to seeking justice not only for the child but also for those whose lives were affected and disrupted by this heinous act."

Court documents reveal that on August 22, 2024, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a Suffolk County deputy sheriff observed Bedrick driving westbound at high speed in a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse on the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway. The deputy sheriff attempted to stop Bedrick's vehicle after making a U-turn and activating his lights and sirens. However, Bedrick allegedly accelerated and evaded attempts to guide her car off the road safely.

The deputy sheriff followed Bedrick at a safe distance for over five miles as she reportedly reached speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour. Multiple vehicles had to veer out of her way to avoid collisions. For safety reasons, the deputy sheriff entered westbound lanes to maintain sight of Bedrick’s vehicle.

The crash occurred just east of Exit 42N when Bedrick struck multiple vehicles before colliding head-on with a Mercedes GLS SUV. The impact caused significant damage and scattered debris across the roadway. The engine from Bedrick’s vehicle was ejected into nearby woods.

Upon reaching Bedrick's vehicle, officers found an unconscious nine-year-old child in the backseat passenger seat who was later pronounced dead at South Shore Hospital despite life-saving efforts. Two other motorists involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities recovered multiple pills from Bedrick’s vehicle without an identifiable prescription label. She was determined to be impaired by drugs and subsequently arrested after being taken to a hospital. Her driving history revealed 56 suspensions on eight separate dates.

On September 4, 2024, Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz arraigned Bedrick on several charges including two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (Class A felonies), Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class B felony), Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class C felony), among others totaling twenty-one counts ranging from felonies to traffic infractions.

Justice Horowitz ordered that Bedrick be remanded without bail and suspended her license during ongoing proceedings. She is scheduled to return to court on October 22, 2024, facing up to 25 years to life imprisonment if convicted on top charges.

Bedrick is represented by Scott Zerner, Esq., while Assistant District Attorney James McCormack from the Vehicular Crime Bureau prosecutes this case with Investigator Kevin Doyle conducting investigations for New York State Police.