EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — A Plainview woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter after prosecutors said she drove through a red light while on methamphetamine and crashed into another vehicle in East Meadow, killing a 55-year-old passenger.
Cassandra Panetta, 41, pleaded guilty Friday before Judge Helene Gugerty to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Panetta is expected to receive four to 12 years in prison when she is sentenced Dec. 8. Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of six to 12 years.
The crash happened at about 1 p.m. Aug. 10, 2025, as Panetta drove a Nissan Maxima on Carman Avenue toward her Plainview home, prosecutors said.
As Panetta approached the intersection with Salisbury Park Drive, she drove through a steady red light without braking and struck the rear driver’s side of another vehicle that was making a left turn through a green light, according to the district attorney.
The impact heavily damaged the other vehicle.
Steven Diamond, 55, who was riding in the back seat, went into cardiac arrest. He was taken to Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was pronounced dead at 3:13 p.m.
Prosecutors said Diamond had been on his way to spend the afternoon at the beach with friends.
The driver of the vehicle suffered a concussion, while a front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Panetta suffered a fractured wrist.
Blood taken from Panetta at the hospital tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, prosecutors said.
Panetta was arrested Oct. 17, 2025, by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
She is scheduled to return to court Dec. 8 for sentencing.
Photo: Nassau County Police Department
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