(Update: 3:30 p.m.) Diane O’Neill, accused of driving while intoxicated in the fatal crash that claimed the life of a 90-year-old man in Jamesport last night, posted the $10,000 bail set by Riverhead Justice Court this morning and was released from custody, according to the justice court clerk. She is due back in court Thursday afternoon.
Photo: Riverhead Police Dept.
Original story:
A Southold teacher charged with driving while intoxicated in a fatal motor vehicle accident was held on $10,000 bail at her arraignment at Riverhead Town Justice Court this morning.
Diane O. O’Neill, 65, of Farmingville was charged with driving while intoxicated after she struck and killed George J. Kurovics, 90, of Jamesport while he was walking down Main Road in Jamesport last night.
O’Neill has been a Southold High School teacher for the past 21 years.
O’Neill appeared this morning without counsel before Judge Allen Smith, who appointed a public defender for the limited purpose of her arraignment. Smith directed O’Neill to return to court tomorrow at 2 p.m. with legal counsel.
O’Neill’s son told the court that the defendant’s family would post bail within the hour. The judge ordered O’Neill to be held at the court house for one hour to give the defendant the opportunity to post bail with cash or a credit card.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office will review the incident and determine if additional charges will be filed, according to the police report.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
