LI mother who killed 9-year-old son in wrong-way car crash has 57th license suspension as she’s held without bail: prosecutors
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LI mother who killed 9-year-old son in wrong-way car crash has 57th license suspension as she’s held without bail: prosecutors

LI mother who killed 9-year-old son in wrong-way car crash has 57th license suspension as she’s held without bail: prosecutors

A Long Island mother accused of causing the death of her infant son in a car crash while high on methamphetamine had her license suspended for the 57th time during a hearing Wednesday afternoon, prosecutors said.

Suffolk County Judge Richard I. Horowitz ordered Kerri Bedrick’s driver’s license suspended until the case is resolved and remanded the 32-year-old in custody without bail after she pleaded not guilty to murder charges during a hearing.

Bedrick’s license was already suspended on Aug. 22, when she drove the wrong way on the Southern State Parkway at about 2:15 a.m. and caused a four-car crash that killed her 9-year-old son, authorities said.

Kerri A. Bedrick is accused of killing her son in a wrong-way crash while driving under the influence of methamphetamine. Courtesy of WABCKerri A. Bedrick is accused of killing her son in a wrong-way crash while driving under the influence of methamphetamine. Courtesy of WABC

Kerri A. Bedrick is accused of killing her son in a wrong-way crash while driving under the influence of methamphetamine. Courtesy of WABC

According to prosecutors, a sheriff’s deputy tried to pull Bedrick over when he noticed she was driving the wrong way, but she sped up and missed the deputy’s vehicle.

Prosecutors say the deputy followed her for more than five miles in the westbound lane, keeping a safe distance as she reached speeds of 100 mph as she drove into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lane.

Bedrick's driver's license had already been suspended before the fatal crash on Aug. 22. Facebook/Kerri BedrickBedrick's driver's license had already been suspended before the fatal crash on Aug. 22. Facebook/Kerri Bedrick

Bedrick’s driver’s license had already been suspended before the fatal crash on Aug. 22. Facebook/Kerri Bedrick

According to the district attorney’s office, Bedrick eventually collided head-on with other cars, including a Mercedes GLS SUV, causing such a severe impact that her engine flew into the woods.

Her 9-year-old son, Eli D. Henrys, was found unconscious in the back seat of a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse and later died from his injuries at the hospital.

Bedrick's son, Eli D. Henrys, was found unresponsive in the backseat of a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Facebook/Kerri BedrickBedrick's son, Eli D. Henrys, was found unresponsive in the backseat of a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Facebook/Kerri Bedrick

Bedrick’s son, Eli D. Henrys, was found unresponsive in the backseat of a 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Facebook/Kerri Bedrick

Eli D. Henrys died from his injuries in hospital. facebook/kerri.bedrickEli D. Henrys died from his injuries in hospital. facebook/kerri.bedrick

Eli D. Henrys died from his injuries in hospital. facebook/kerri.bedrick

According to prosecutors’ testimony, authorities later determined that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the road rage attack, and a prescription bottle with its label torn off was found in her car.

The driver allegedly admitted to police that he had used methamphetamine around 8 p.m. the night before the fatal crash, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Laura Newcombe said last month.

In addition to the murder charges, she faces charges of causing death by means of a motor vehicle, manslaughter and other related offences, including operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Kerri A. Bedrick remains in custody without bail after pleading not guilty to murder charges during a hearing. LP MediaKerri A. Bedrick remains in custody without bail after pleading not guilty to murder charges during a hearing. LP Media

Kerri A. Bedrick remains in custody without bail after pleading not guilty to murder charges during a hearing. LP Media

Bedrick’s license had already been suspended 56 times over eight separate days leading up to the crash before she received another suspension Wednesday. Under state law, a driver can be subject to multiple suspensions in one day for a variety of reasons.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the series of charges demonstrate the “serious nature” of the incident, which he called a “heinous act.”

Kerri A. Bedrick is due back in court next month. John Roca/Newsday POOLKerri A. Bedrick is due back in court next month. John Roca/Newsday POOL

Kerri A. Bedrick is due back in court next month. John Roca/Newsday POOL

“The loss of life in this accident, especially that of a young child, is heartbreaking,” he said in a statement.

Bedrick’s attorney, Scott Zerner, called the accident a “tragic accident.”

“Nobody on the planet is more upset about this than she is,” Zerner told The Post.

“She has a medical condition and was prescribed methamphetamine by her doctor as directed, she was not under the influence of alcohol or any over the counter medications that were not prescribed to her.”

Zerner declined to comment on allegations that she was driving without a license at the time of the accident.

Bedrick and two other drivers involved in the pileup received medical treatment for their injuries.

The mother faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of the top charge. The next court hearing is scheduled for October 22.