Woman Charged with Leaving Southern State Accident

A Merrick woman was apprehended by New York State Police on the Southern State Parkway nerar  Tuesday night for allegedly leaving the scene of the accident.

According to New York State Police, at about 11:16 p.m., a GMC Suburban operated by Cheryl Laurino of Merrick was heading eastbound on the Southern State Parkway near exit 29 when the GMC made an unsafe lane change and struck a Jeep, causing it to loose control and strike a Hyundai. 

Police said that the GMC then rolled over the guide rail and into the westbound lanes before striking a Mazda. When the GMCfinally stopped, Laurino attempted to flee the scene on foot, state police said. She was finally stopped by off duty police officers at the accident scene.   

Laurino was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for minor injuries and the operator of the Jeep was transported to NUMC and treated for a broken wrist. No other injuries were reported.

Laurino was charged with assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle in the second degree, leaving the scene of an accident and numerous traffic violations. 

The defendant was held for arraignment in Nassau County First District Court.