Man accused of killing girlfriend, unborn child in wrong-way crash

Courtney Corbett, 28, of Brooklyn, is charged with manslaughter in the second degree, two counts of assault and reckless driving.

News 12 Staff

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Jun 19, 2017, 11:47 AM

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Updated 2,715 days ago

Police say criminal activity at a busy Nassau store sparked a police pursuit and a wrong-way crash that killed a woman and her unborn child.

Investigators say 28-year-old Courtney Corbett, of Brooklyn, was the getaway driver for his pregnant girlfriend and another woman, who were allegedly trying to use a fraudulent credit card and possibly shoplift at the Sephora store in Manhasset Sunday.

As the three fled the scene, police say an officer pursued Corbett, heading south on Shelter Rock Road. Then Corbett started heading the wrong way on the Long Island Expressway service road, and the officer disengaged from the chase.

Moments later, police say Corbett slammed head-on into a car that was exiting the highway at Exit 35. Corbett's girlfriend, Demytra Gibbs, was killed. She was six months pregnant, and her baby did not survive.

Corbett, the other passenger and three people in the oncoming car were injured, but are expected to be OK.

Corbett is charged with manslaughter, assault and reckless driving. He was ordered held on $200,000 cash bail or bond at his arraignment Monday. His attorney and family declined to speak with reporters.

Shoppers at Sephora Monday were stunned to hear that the wrong-way crash began with an incident at the store. Some questioned whether the police pursuit contributed to the accident.

Nassau police say the officer's actions were appropriate because he attempted to stop a vehicle leaving a crime, followed it for half a mile and then discontinued the chase when Corbett’s actions became dangerous.