Mother arrested after crash on the Southern State Parkway

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

On January 3, 2023, just after 5:30 PM, the State Police responded to a crash on the eastbound Southern State Parkway west of exit 17S in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County. 

 

Preliminary investigation revealed, a 2020 Toyota Camry, driven by Louewanda Benjamin, 37 of Amityville, NY, was traveling eastbound on the Southern State Parkway when her vehicle struck the rear of a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox.  The collision injured Benjamin’s 3-year-old son and the driver of the Equinox and both were transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital.

 

Benjamin’s 3-year-old son suffered a broken leg, and the driver of the Equinox suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

 

Benjamin was uninjured and found to be intoxicated.  Benjamin was arrested and provided a breath sample of .24% B.A.C.

 

Benjamin was charged with the following:

• Vehicular Assault 1^st Degree, with a B.A.C. of .18% or more, a D – Felony 
• Vehicular Assault 1^st Degree with Previous Conviction, a D – Felony
• Endangering Welfare of Child, an A – Misdemeanor
• Aggravated DWI, with Child and Previous Conviction in 10 Years, an E – Felony, also known as Leandra’s Law
• Aggravated DWI, Previous Conviction in 10 Years, an E – Felony
• Driving While Intoxicated, Previous Conviction in 10 Years, an E – Felony

 

Benjamin was held for arraignment at Nassau County First District Court.