Mom accused of killing 9-year-old son in wrong-way crash pleads not guilty to upgraded charges
RIVERHEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- The woman accused of causing a wrong-way crash that killed her 9-year-old son pleaded not guilty to upgraded charges during an arraignment Wednesday morning.
Kerri Bedrick was indicted on charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child as part of a 21-count indictment unsealed in Riverhead.
She pleaded not guilty and was remanded without bail. She appeared in a wheelchair in court.
A pickup truck swerved out of her way and her vehicle was struck by a Honda Civic that had its passenger-side doors sheared off
Prosecutors said her blood tested positive for methamphetamines, which her lawyer says is prescribed.
She told them she took the drugs at 8 p.m. the day before the crash.
"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," said District Attorney Raymond 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."
The judge ordered Bedrick to be remanded without bail and that her license be suspended during the pendency of the case.
She is due back in court on October 22 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count.
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