Plainview woman high on meth charged in fatal east meadow crash — Photo 61814404 © Jiri Hera | Dreamstime.com

MINEOLA, N.Y. – A Plainview woman is facing manslaughter and drugged driving charges after prosecutors say she blew through a red light in East Meadow while high on methamphetamine, killing a 55-year-old man and injuring two others.

Cassandra Panetta, 41, was indicted and arraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty on October 17 on a slate of charges including manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, and reckless driving.

She pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail, $750,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond.

Key Points

Cassandra Panetta allegedly ran a red light while high on meth, killing Steven Diamond.
The August crash in East Meadow also injured two others.
Panetta faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Fatal crash left one dead, two injured

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Panetta was driving her 2012 Nissan Maxima along Carman Avenue around 1 p.m. on August 10 when she sped through a steady red light at the intersection of Salisbury Park Drive. Another car, carrying three passengers, was turning left through a green light when Panetta’s vehicle struck it on the rear driver’s side.

The impact crushed the victims’ car and sent it spinning. Steven Diamond, 55, a backseat passenger, went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was later pronounced dead at Nassau County Medical Center. The driver suffered a concussion, while the front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries.

Prosecutors cite meth use behind the wheel

Investigators say blood tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in Panetta’s system. DA Donnelly called the crash “as reckless as it was preventable,” vowing to seek justice for Diamond and his family.

Panetta, who fractured her wrist in the collision, was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad on October 17 following the indictment. She is due back in court on December 4.

Possible sentence up to 15 years

If convicted of the top charge of manslaughter in the second degree, Panetta faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison. Prosecutors say the case underscores the growing dangers of drug-impaired driving across Long Island.

Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the crash as Panetta remains held pending her next court appearance.

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