On Tuesday, Rachel Lodice was indicted by a grand jury and is now facing several charges, including manslaughter, in connection to a fatal crash that occurred in April in Massapequa. The incident resulted in the death of a 64-year-old woman.
A Georgia resident named Lodice has pleaded not guilty to the accusation of driving under the influence of marijuana. The 21-year-old is suspected of running a red light while high and causing a collision with Cynthia Mitchell, a 64-year-old who was on her way to Hobby Lobby when the incident happened. The victim’s birthday was only a few days away. The collision took place at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Hicksville Road.
According to the event data recorder, prosecutors revealed that Lodice was driving at a speed of approximately 75 mph just moments before the accident. The district attorney referred to her reckless driving as a “trail of terror.” Before the collision occurred, she reportedly drove on the wrong side of the road, disregarded red lights, and even drove around medians. Following the accident, Lodice allegedly stole a vehicle belonging to the Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety and fled the scene.
According to Ted Mitchell, his beloved wife was a vibrant and beloved individual who was full of life. Unfortunately, during the accident, a close friend who was a passenger in Mitchell’s car suffered severe injuries. The passenger’s mother has revealed that her daughter is currently going through a challenging time as a result of the accident.
According to District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Lodice could potentially face a prison sentence of up to 22 years if found guilty. Donnelly also expressed her relief that the incident did not result in more injuries, describing it as a miracle.
