Drunk Merrick Woman Called 911 45 Minutes After Fatal Crash: DA

FREEPORT, NY - A Merrick woman charged in a hit-and-run that killed a man in Freeport in July, pleaded not guilty to a six count indictment on Tuesday, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Stephanie Beeker, 67, was arraigned before Judge Terence Murphy on charges of second degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and four counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

In addition, she was arraigned on a DWI from a separate October 2014 incident in East Meadow, according to the DA.

Beeker could face a maximum of 2 to 7 years in prison on each of the top charges, the DA said.

Bail was continued in the amount of $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash and the Beeker was required to surrender her passport to the court while the case is pending.

On July 4, 2015 Beeker was allegedly driving eastbound on Sunrise Highway just before the entrance to the Meadowbrook Parkway when she crossed the intersection by the entrance to the Meadowbrook Corners shopping center and struck and killed a man who was thrown 80 feet from the crosswalk into the center lane, according to the DA.

Pieces of the Beeker’s car and license plate holder were recovered between the crosswalk and the victim.

“An innocent pedestrian was attempting to cross Sunrise Highway when his life was senselessly taken away from him,” Singas said. “This incident is yet another reminder that protecting our pedestrians must become a priority in Nassau County and the laws against fleeing the scene of a crash must be strengthened.”

Beeker continued to drive eastbound toward her home with a smashed windshield, but then made a U-turn and headed westbound, driving past the victim lying in the roadway, according to the DA.

She then drove to her father’s house in Baldwin, where she called 911 more than 45 minutes after the crash.

She was arrested at the home by Nassau County Police Department officers.

On Oct. 22, 2014, Beeker was stopped by police for failing to maintain her lane of travel on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow and was arrested by Nassau County Police Department Highway Patrol Bureau.

She is due back in court on Feb. 5.