A Plainview woman has been indicted and arraigned on manslaughter and drugged driving charges stemming from an August crash in East Meadow that killed a 55-year-old man and injured two others, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
Cassandra Panetta, 41, was arraigned Oct. 17 before Judge Helene Gugerty on charges of second-degree manslaughter; second-degree vehicular manslaughter; second-degree assault; third-degree assault; driving while ability impaired by drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor; and reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor.
Panetta pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1 million partially secured bond. She is due back in court Dec. 4. If convicted, she faces up to seven to 15 years in prison.
“Steven Diamond’s life was senselessly cut short because of conduct that was as reckless as it was preventable — this defendant’s alleged decision to drive while under the influence of methamphetamine had irreversible consequences,” Donnelly said. “It’s clear that the dangers of this drug went unheeded by Cassandra Panetta. My prosecutors will continue to pursue justice for Steven and work tirelessly to hold accountable those who endanger drivers on our roads through drug use behind the wheel.”
According to the charges, Panetta was driving her 2021 Nissan Maxima along Carman Avenue in East Meadow toward her Plainview home at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 10.
She allegedly drove through a steady red light at Carman Avenue and Salisbury Park Drive, crashing into the rear driver’s side of another vehicle that was turning left through a green light. The victims’ vehicle sustained heavy damage.
The backseat passenger, 55-year-old Steven Diamond, went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Nassau University Medical Center at 3:13 p.m. The driver suffered a concussion, and the front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Panetta fractured her wrist.
Forensic testing of Panetta’s blood revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine, officials said. She was arrested Oct. 17 by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
Assistant District Attorney James Taglienti of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. Panetta is represented by attorney Michael DerGarabedian.
