The 21-year-old is accused of driving high while on marijuana and blowing a red light before T-boning the victim, 64-year-old Cynthia Mitchell, who was on her way to Hobby Lobby at the time
Rachel Lodice was arraigned on a grand jury indictment Tuesday and is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter, stemming from an April crash in Massapequa that killed a 64-year-old woman.
Lodice, a Georgia resident, pleaded not guilty. The 21-year-old is accused of driving high while on marijuana and blowing a red light before T-boning the victim, 64-year-old Cynthia Mitchell, who was on her way to Hobby Lobby at the time. It was just days before her birthday. The crash occurred at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Hicksville Road.
Prosecutors said that according to the event data recorder, Lodice was traveling at about 75 mph just seconds before the crash. The district attorney referred to her driving as an “alleged trail of terror.” Prior to the crash, she allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road, through red lights and around medians. After the crash, authorities said Lodice stole a Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety vehicle and fled.
Ted Mitchell said his wife was “full of life” and “everybody loved her.” A passenger in Mitchell’s car, a good friend of Mitchell’s, suffered serious injuries. The passenger’s mother says her daughter is “going through a lot.”
Lodice faces up to 22 years behind bars if convicted. District Attorney Anne Donnelly said it was a miracle that more people weren’t hurt.
CREDIT: News12 Cecilia Dowd
