A Kings Park woman has been indicted on upgraded charges that include vehicular homicide for allegedly driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a 59-year-old man in Smithtown two months ago.
Natalia Simons pleaded not guilty at Suffolk County court Wednesday to that count and 11 other charges, including vehicular manslaughter, assault, reckless driving, speeding and failure to maintain lane. She was initially charged with driving while intoxicated.
Prosecutors said the 36-year-old woman was driving a Nissan Rogue northbound on Route 25A when her vehicle crossed over into the opposite lane of traffic and struck a southbound Toyota Camry shortly after midnight Friday, March 13.
The other driver, Larry Garwood, of Island Park, was taken to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The victim was employed at the hospital as a radiology supervisor.
Judge Fernando Comacho set bail for Simons at $50,000.
