Nassau DA: Bethpage Woman Indicted for June Fatal Head-On Collision
District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Bethpage woman was indicted today on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges for a drunken head-on collision in June that killed an Old Bethpage man.
Cheryl Bergenstock, 64, was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Helene Gugerty on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree (a C felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a D felony), Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D felony), Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor), two counts of Driving While Intoxicated (unclassified misdemeanors), and Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and remained out on $200,000 bond, but was asked to surrender her passport, was required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, and a curfew was set. She is due back in court on November 15, 2024. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“This defendant was allegedly more than twice the legal limit for alcohol when she crossed into 82-year-old Alan Goldsand’s path and crashed head-on into his vehicle,” said DA Donnelly. “Though Alan survived the initial crash, the injuries he suffered were too great and he tragically died in the hospital the following day. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not just illegal, they are often a deadly combination. Our thoughts are with Alan’s family as we pursue justice for this senseless and entirely preventable tragedy.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on June 28, 2024, Bergenstock was driving her vehicle northbound on Round Swamp Road in Bethpage when she collided head-on with a vehicle traveling southbound, driven by 82-year-old Alan Goldsand.
An analysis of the event data recorder in Bergenstock’s vehicle indicated that she was allegedly driving 78 miles per hour in a 40 mile-per-hour zone five seconds prior to crossing over a double yellow line and striking Goldsand’s vehicle in his lane.
Goldsand was transported via helicopter to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.
He suffered bilateral femur fractures, had a chest tube inserted, and underwent surgery for internal injuries.
He succumbed to his injuries the following day on June 29, 2024.
Bergenstock was transported via ambulance to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for minor injuries.
A search warrant for the defendant’s blood taken at the hospital revealed Bergenstock had a blood alcohol content of .20% approximately one hour after the crash.
The defendant was arrested that night at the hospital by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Tara DePalo of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. Bergenstock is represented by Steven Politi, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.