A Valley Stream woman has pleaded guilty to driving drunk and under the influence of marijuana in a wrong-way Hempstead crash that injured two teenagers, leaving one with permanent limitations in his wrist.
Kelyse Land, 26, pleaded guilty Monday, July 20, to aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly.
Land is expected to receive a sentence of two to six years in prison when she returns to court Sept. 28. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of four to nine years.
The crash happened at about 11:45 p.m. on July 25, 2025, as Land drove a 2003 Nissan on Hempstead Avenue, prosecutors said.
Land crossed the double yellow lines and drove into oncoming traffic, striking the front of a 2022 BMW that was stopped at a red light. The impact pushed the BMW into another vehicle.
The teenage driver of the BMW suffered multiple fractures and cuts to his hand and wrist that required more than three dozen stitches. Prosecutors said he has permanent limited mobility in his wrist.
The teenage passenger was treated for a concussion and a sprained ankle.
A blood test taken about three hours after the collision showed Land had a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, more than twice the legal limit, prosecutors said.
An analysis estimated that her blood alcohol content was between 0.185% and 0.26% at the time of the crash. Prosecutors said she was also under the influence of marijuana.
Investigators recovered an empty 50-milliliter bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label from Land’s pocket after the collision.
Nassau County police arrested Land at the scene. She remains scheduled for sentencing before Judge Helene Gugerty on Sept. 28.
