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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A pastor, 82, and his wife, 88, were killed in a head-on collision on the Southern State Parkway in Hempstead Sunday night when a drunk driver crossed the center median and struck their vehicle, according to New York State Police. The crash involved six vehicles and 10 drivers and passengers, with the couple being the only fatalities in the multi-vehicle collision.
Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside was driving a 2020 black Cadillac Escalade with one passenger when she first sideswiped a gray BMW before losing control of her vehicle, police said. Kutateladze then crossed the center median and hit other vehicles before crashing head-on into the couple’s black 2016 Toyota Highlander, killing both occupants instantly.
Several other victims sustained injuries in the crash, with one person suffering critical injuries while the remaining victims’ injuries were classified as not life-threatening, authorities reported. The collision occurred Sunday evening on the busy Long Island parkway, though police have not released the exact time of the incident.
According to ABC 7, preliminary investigations revealed that both speed and alcohol played significant roles in the crash. Kutateladze was determined to have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit at the time of the collision and admitted to police that she had consumed Coke and whiskey before getting behind the wheel, the outlet reported.
The male victim served as the general overseer of Pentecostal City Mission Church, which operates multiple locations in the United States and worldwide, according to NBC New York and the church’s website. The Pentecostal City Mission Church describes itself as “a community of believers that will effectively communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people holistically, irrespective of race color, gender and economic status” with “progressive productive social, educational and evangelistic ministries tailored to embrace diversity and to enhance the building of the kingdom of God within all societies.”
Following news of the tragedy, tributes from the congregation began pouring in on social media. One church member posted on Facebook Monday, mourning the loss of her spiritual leader and writing, “Can’t believe just spoke to you last Sunday, now you’re no longer going to be here. Condolence to the Church Family.” She lamented that the pastor was “gone too soon.”
In a more extensive Facebook tribute posted Wednesday, another church member shared an image of the couple accompanied by the song “Oshimiri Atata” by Faith Captain. The picture contained text reading, “It’s so hard to say goodbye, but as you have drawn from the River of Life, may we ever draw from that river until we meet again!” The post indicated the wife may have also held a ministerial role in the church.
“In loving memory of our General Overseer and his beautiful wife and our beloved mother,” the tribute read. “Our hearts are tremendously heavy at this time and the grief runs so deep, but even in our hour of sorrow, we say blessed be the Sovereign will of ALMIGHTY GOD. His way is perfect.” The message concluded with prayers for the couple’s immediate family members and the Pentecostal City Mission Church Worldwide, calling on the church community to “stand together in love, and be ready for when the LORD returns or calls us home!”
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on the Southern State Parkway in Hempstead, one of Long Island’s major east-west transportation arteries that carries heavy traffic volumes daily. The Southern State Parkway serves as a critical commuter route connecting Nassau and Suffolk counties, running parallel to the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. The parkway’s design, with concrete barriers separating opposing traffic lanes in most sections, typically prevents cross-median crashes, making this type of collision particularly devastating when it occurs.
Hempstead, located in Nassau County, sits along a busy stretch of the Southern State Parkway that sees consistent traffic flow from both commuters and weekend travelers. The area where the crash occurred experiences regular congestion during peak hours, and the involvement of six vehicles suggests the collision happened in a zone with moderate to heavy traffic density.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Kutateladze faces multiple serious charges in connection with the crash, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving, according to New York State Police. She has been held in custody without bail and had her driver’s license suspended following her arrest.
Despite the severity of the charges against her, Kutateladze has pleaded not guilty to all counts, prosecutors said. The investigation into the accident remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the multi-vehicle collision. The case highlights the serious legal consequences facing drivers who cause fatal crashes while under the influence, with aggravated vehicular homicide carrying potential sentences of up to 25 years in prison under New York State law.