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The wreck happened in Bethpage, near the intersection of Round Swamp Road and Winding Road , at around 7:20 a.m. Friday, June 28.
Nassau County Police said 64-year-old Cheryl Bergenstock, of Bethpage, was more than twice the legal limit for alcohol when her Subaru Forester crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla’s driver, 82-year-old Alan Goldsand, of Old Bethpage, was airlifted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset with multiple internal injuries. He died the following day.
Bergenstock was hospitalized with minor injuries. An analysis of her vehicle’s event data recorder showed she was driving 78 miles per hour in a 40 mile-per-hour zone just moments before the crash, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.
Testing of her blood done at the hospital revealed she had a blood alcohol content of 0.20 percent nearly an hour after the crash, prosecutors said.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Bergenstock was indicted in Nassau County Court on nine criminal counts, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated.
“Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not just illegal, they are often a deadly combination,” said Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly. “Our thoughts are with Alan’s family as we pursue justice for this senseless and entirely preventable tragedy.”
Bergenstock pleaded not guilty and was released on a $200,000 bond. A Nassau County judge ordered her to surrender her passport and wear an electronic ankle monitor.
She is back in court on Friday, Nov. 15, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
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