Elizabeth Stenson is accused of killing a bicyclist and a passenger in her vehicle
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that an Amityville woman was arraigned today on grand jury indictment charges related to a double-fatal crash in Hicksville in June 2016.
Elizabeth Stenson, 58, was arraigned today before Acting Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter on charges of:
- Three counts of Murder in the 2nd Degree (an A-I felony)
- Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree (a B violent felony)
- Two counts of Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree (a C felony)
- Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree (a D felony)
- Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree (an A misdemeanor)
- Reckless driving (an unclassified misdemeanor)
The defendant pleaded not guilty, was remanded and is due back in court May 23. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces 25 years to life in prison.
“An adult father and daughter were riding bicycles in the middle of the afternoon when they were allegedly targeted for no reason by this homicidal driver,” DA Singas said. “Mr. Widmyer was able to jump out of the way but he watched helplessly as his daughter was run down and tragically killed. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Widmyer family. I thank the prosecutors and police officers who helped investigate and indict this complex case.”
DA Singas said that on June 29, 2016 at approximately 2:45 pm, Elizabeth Stenson was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer southbound on New South Road in Hicksville. While driving, the defendant allegedly crossed over the yellow lines in the street and began driving the wrong way on the street for blocks – striking two bicyclists – killing one of them.
One of the bicyclists, 73-year old Dennis Widmyer was struck by the vehicle and knocked off his bicycle. However, his 43-year old daughter, Cari Widmyer, who was visiting her family from California, was hit head-on and became lodged under the car and dragged several hundred feet down the road.
Another car that was travelling the correct way on New South Road had to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid a head-on crash. Stenson allegedly clipped the vehicle, before she continued down the road and then crashed into a house on the corner of New South Road and Meadow Lane. The impact from the crash also killed her passenger in the vehicle, Duane Nuccio, 65, who died several days later from injuries sustained from the crash.
The 43-year old victim suffered injuries to her head and her entire body and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Widmyer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and has since recovered.
The defendant surrendered this morning to members of the Nassau County Police Department.
ADA Stefanie Palma and Deputy Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case. Stenson is represented by William Kephart, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.