Police: 21-year-old woman fled fatal Massapequa DWI crash in stolen town patrol car

Rachel Lodice is charged with vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, DWI and grand larceny.

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2024, 9:47 AM

Updated 241 days ago

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Police say a woman has been arrested for causing a fatal DWI crash in Massapequa and then fleeing in a stolen public safety vehicle.
Rachel Lodice, 21, of Jericho, was driving southbound on Hicksville Road and struck a Nissan traveling eastbound on Sunrise Highway at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to police.
The 64-year-old female driver of the Nissan suffered trauma and was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Family members identified the victim as Cynthia Mitchell, of Freeport, and say she was a churchgoing woman.
A 46-year-old female passenger in the Nissan was also transported to a hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening.
While on patrol, a Town of Oyster Bay public safety officer came upon the scene and stopped to assist. Lodice allegedly entered his marked vehicle and fled the scene.
Lodice was located a short time later and arrested.
Lodice is charged with vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, DWI and grand larceny.
A judge did not release Lodice. She is being held on $500,000 bond.