Long Island woman charged after crash that resulted in one fatality and injuries to two others, linked to drug use.
A 41-year-old woman from Plainview, Long Island, has been charged with multiple offenses related to a tragic August crash that resulted in the death of one man and injuries to two others. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office announced these charges this past Friday, emphasizing the devastating impact of the alleged drug-related incident.
Cassandra Panetta was reportedly driving under the influence of methamphetamine when she failed to stop at a red light on the afternoon of August 10. As she approached the intersection of Carman Avenue and Salisbury Park Drive in her 2012 Nissan Maxima, witnesses claim she drove through the red light and collided with a 2024 Nissan Altima that was turning onto Carman Avenue. This collision caused significant damage to the Altima and resulted in injuries to the driver and a front-seat passenger.
Tragically, the 55-year-old backseat passenger in the Altima, identified as Steven Diamond, suffered a cardiac arrest following the crash. He was transported to Nassau County Medical Center but was pronounced dead a few hours later. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly remarked on the preventable nature of the incident, indicating that Diamond’s life was “senselessly cut short” due to reckless behavior.
The two female passengers in the 2024 Nissan Altima were hospitalized for their injuries, which were deemed non-life-threatening. The 57-year-old driver suffered a concussion, while the 56-year-old front-seat passenger had minor injuries.
In addition to Diamond’s untimely death, Panetta herself sustained a wrist fracture in the crash. Subsequent forensic testing of her blood revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine, solidifying the case against her.
Following a comprehensive investigation into the accident, Panetta was arrested and charged with several serious offenses, including manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs (DWAI), and reckless driving. During her arraignment in Nassau County Court, she pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was set at 0,000 cash, 0,000 bond, or million partially secured bond, indicating the severity of the case.
Panetta is scheduled to return to court on December 4. If found guilty, she faces a potential prison sentence ranging from seven to 15 years, a sobering reminder of the consequences of impaired driving. The District Attorney’s Office continues to underscore the risks posed by drug impairment behind the wheel, highlighting the importance of responsible driving to prevent future tragedies.
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