NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A woman was arrested in the 2022 speeding death of another woman in a crash on a Queens expressway, authorities said Tuesday.
Makeda McDonald, 28, of Philadelphia, turned herself in at 105th Precinct. She was charged with criminal negligent homicide, reckless driving, and speeding violations.
At approximately 3:15 a.m., on Friday, April 8, 2022, police responded to a motor vehicle collision in the vicinity of Cross Island Parkway and Southern State Parkway.
The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad determined McDonald, who was 26 at the time, was driving a 2017 Mercedes GLA traveling southbound on Cross Island Parkway at approximately 123 mph during a rainstorm when she approached a split in the highway with exit ramps for the eastbound Southern State Parkway and the westbound Belt Parkway.
McDonald failed to maintain her lane, entered a grass median separating the exit ramps and struck a guide rail, causing the vehicle to become airborne and roll several times, striking an overhead light pole and the gantry.
The car came to a final rest on its roof.
The rear passenger, Moesha McLaughlin, 24, was pinned inside of the vehicle. She was extracted and transported to Northwell Health/Valley Stream Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The front passenger, McDonald's aunt, Nyasha Turnbull, 32, was found seated upside down with her seatbelt on. She was extracted and transported to North Shore/Manhasset Hospital with injuries to her lung, arm, shoulder, pelvis and liver.
McDonald was also taken to North Shore/Manhasset Hospital.
McDonald and McLaughlin were cousins, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
"Disregarding the rules of the road often has devastating consequences. A life has been cut short and a family left heartbroken because the defendant, as alleged, drove at nearly two-and-half times the speed limit," Katz said, "My office will continue to prioritize cases of vehicular crimes to ensure that dangerous drivers are held accountable."