BAY SHORE, NY – A Long Island mother, Kerri Bedrick, is now facing murder charges after being accused of driving impaired and causing a wrong-way crash that tragically killed her 9-year-old son, Eli Henrys. The crash occurred on the Southern State Parkway in August, where Bedrick, 32, from Centerport, was allegedly driving 100 mph for five miles in the wrong direction. Despite efforts by Suffolk County Sheriff’s deputies to stop her after spotting her on Sunrise Highway, Bedrick reportedly sped up before colliding with three other vehicles. Her son, who was in the back seat, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Bedrick, previously charged with driving while impaired by drugs, was indicted on more serious charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and second-degree murder, following a grand jury’s decision. Prosecutors claim she was found with methamphetamine and other pills at the time of the crash. Witnesses noted her slurred speech, watery eyes, and disoriented responses at the scene. Bedrick’s attorney, Scott Zerner, argued that she suffers from a range of medical conditions, including spina bifida, narcolepsy, and epilepsy, and was prescribed medication for her ailments. He also mentioned her past as a domestic violence victim, adding that her tragic loss of her son has devastated her.
State police emphasized the severity of the crash, noting that the impact was so strong that the engine of Bedrick’s vehicle was thrown into nearby woods. While Bedrick and the other drivers involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries, her son was the only fatality. Law enforcement said the child was wearing a seatbelt, and a deputy sheriff had tried to perform life-saving measures before he was pronounced dead.
Bedrick, who has a history of driving-related offenses, including an expired license with 56 suspensions and a prior DWI conviction, pleaded not guilty during her arraignment. Her bail was set at $1 million cash. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
The tragic case has sparked renewed debate about the enforcement of license suspensions, with some officials arguing that more stringent penalties could have potentially prevented this devastating accident. As the investigation continues, Bedrick remains in custody, with her attorney pushing for her to receive medical treatment while incarcerated.
