MINEOLA, N.Y. — A 64-year-old Bethpage woman was indicted Wednesday on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide for a June head-on collision that killed an 82-year-old Old Bethpage man, prosecutors said. Cheryl Bergenstock pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $200,000 bond.
Bergenstock was arraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty on multiple charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degrees, manslaughter in the second degree, assault, aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. Prosecutors allege she was more than twice the legal limit for alcohol at the time of the crash.
Authorities said that on June 28, Bergenstock was driving northbound on Round Swamp Road in Bethpage when she allegedly crossed over a double yellow line and struck a vehicle driven by 82-year-old Alan Goldsand, who was traveling southbound. An analysis of the car’s event data recorder indicated she was driving at 78 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone just five seconds before the collision.
Goldsand was airlifted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including bilateral femur fractures and internal injuries that required surgery. He died from his injuries the following day.
Bergenstock, who was ordered to surrender her passport, wear an electronic ankle monitor, and observe a curfew, is due back in court on November 15. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison.
“This defendant was allegedly more than twice the legal limit for alcohol when she crossed into 82-year-old Alan Goldsand’s path,” said District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Our thoughts are with Alan’s family as we pursue justice for this senseless and entirely preventable tragedy.”
