Mother high on meth with her license suspended 56 times crashes and kills her nine-year-old son

LONG ISLAND, NY - Kerri Bedrick, a 32-year-old mother from Long Island, has been charged in connection with a devastating wrong-way crash that claimed the life of her nine-year-old son, Eli D. Henrys. The incident occurred early Thursday morning on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 42 in Islip, and it has left a community in shock as new details emerge.

According to prosecutors, Bedrick was driving under the influence of methamphetamine and was operating her vehicle on a suspended license, which had been suspended 56 times previously. On the night of the crash, Bedrick admitted to having taken methamphetamine around 8:00 p.m., the evening before she began driving.

In her SUV, police discovered over four grams of pills that tested positive for methamphetamine. When confronted by authorities, Bedrick confessed to taking the drug, and her disoriented state was evident as she slurred her words and struggled to explain where she was headed.

The tragic sequence of events unfolded when Bedrick, with her son in the backseat, was spotted driving the wrong way on the parkway. A Suffolk County sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull her over, but instead of stopping, Bedrick accelerated, leading to a four-vehicle crash that resulted in her son’s death. Two other drivers involved in the crash, Haydee Meyer, 29, and David Picard, 24, were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Bedrick’s history of driving infractions is extensive. In addition to her suspended license, she has a previous conviction from 2012 for driving while intoxicated. This history, combined with the circumstances of the current case, has led prosecutors to consider pursuing homicide charges against her.

For now, Bedrick faces multiple charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 16, aggravated driving without a license, criminal possession of a stimulant, operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, and endangering the welfare of a child.

In court on Friday, Bedrick appeared in a wheelchair, dressed in a hospital gown and handcuffed, for her arraignment. The hearing was emotional, as new, shocking details about the crash were revealed.

Assistant District Attorney Laura Newcombe emphasized the severity of the situation, noting Bedrick’s admission of drug use and her impaired state at the time of the crash. The court documents also highlighted Bedrick’s confusion, as she was unable to recall when she had last taken her prescribed medication, which includes a hypertension treatment called Ziram.

Bedrick’s defense attorney, Eleanor Gery, painted a picture of a woman struggling with numerous personal challenges. Gery told the court that Bedrick had been a victim of domestic violence, with her son’s father having served time in prison for beating her.

Additionally, Bedrick suffers from several medical conditions, including epilepsy, narcolepsy, and spina bifida. Gery requested a lower bail, arguing that Bedrick wished to attend her son’s funeral, but Judge Eric Sachs, moved by the tragedy of the case, set bail at $1 million. He remarked that in his 39 years as a judge, this was one of the most tragic cases he had ever encountered.

The next court date for Bedrick is set for August 27, when the case will continue to unfold. The community and those involved await further developments as they grapple with the devastating loss of young Eli and the troubling circumstances surrounding the crash.